Pair: General W. F. Curtis, formerly commandant 21st Hussars, late 1st Bombay Light Cavalry

Punjab 1848-49, 1 clasp, Mooltan (Captn. Wm. Fredk. Curtis, 1st Lt. Cavy.); India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Persia (Major W. F. Curtis, Land Trans. Corps.) good very fine (2) £1,400-£1,800

William Frederick Curtis was born on 4 May 1810, in Wanstead, Essex. From his obituary in The Times, 6 September 1882, it was stated that ‘General William Frederick Curtis, formerly Commandant of the 21st Regiment of Hussars was originally an officer of the Bombay Army. He entered the Honourable East India Company’s military service of their Bombay Establishment, in 1829, and received a Cornet’s commission on 26 June 1830. He was posted to the 1st Regiment of Bombay Light Cavalry (Lancers) in 1833, and in 1832-33 served with a field force against the Khosas in Naggur Parkur, as well as the capture of Balmeer. He attained the ranks of Lieutenant in 1834, and in 1835 served against the Bheels in the Mahee Kanta province. In 1839 he was aide-de-camp to the then Governor of Bombay but resigned that appointment when his regiment, the 1st Light Cavalry, was ordered to join the Bombay column of the Army of the Indus, taking part in campaigns in Scinde and Afghanistan, including the capture of Kundak, Dadun and Kujjak. He was promoted to rank of Captain and in 1848 to 49 was engaged in the siege and capture of Mooltan. He received the Punjab medal with clasp for his services. From 1851 to 1857 he served on the staff as Deputy Judge Advocate-General at Bombay, having achieved rank of Major in 1854, and the same rank in his regiment in 1857. In that year he was chosen to organise the Land Transport Corps in Persia, and took part in the brief campaign in the South of Persia. For his services he received the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. In 1857 he took command of the 1st Bombay Lancers and served with it in the campaign against mutineers in Central India. In 1860 he attained the regimental rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and was in charge of the Twenty First Hussars. He was promoted to Major-General in 1876. In 1881 he became Lieutenant-General and then General in the same year.’

His services as given in Hart’s Army List read: ‘... was present at the taking of Balmeer, Kundak, Dadur and Kujjak (mentioned in despatches). Punjab campaign, including siege of Mooltan in 1848-49 (mentioned, Medal with Clasp). Served as Director of Transport Corps in the Persian campaign of 1857, including the battle of Kooshab and bombardment of Mohumrah (mentioned, Brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel, and Medal). Served in the Indian mutiny campaign in Central India in 1858, and was present in the actions of Sindwaho (wounded), Korye, and Koondye (mentioned, Medal).’

General W. F. Curtis died in Upper Norwood, Surrey, on 2 September 1882. He left an only son, Captain William Frederick de Hubbenet Curtis, of the Royal Horse Artillery.