Pair: Captain M. H. Hailes, 10th Bengal Light Cavalry

Cabul 1842 (M. H. Hailes. Captain, 10th Light Cavalry) contemporary engraved naming, fitted with original fitted with steel clip and silver bar suspension; Maharajpoor Star 1843 (Captain M. H. Hailes 10th Regt. Light Cavalry) fitted with contemporary replacement hook and steel bar suspension, both medals fitted with ribbon buckles, nearly extremely fine (2) £1,200-£1,600

Martin Hunter Hailes was born at Fredericton, New Brunswick, on 12 January 1810, presumed to be the son of Lieutenant-Colonel Harris W. Hailes, New Brunswick Fencibles. He entered the Bengal Army as a Cadet in 1825, arrived in India in May 1826, and was sent up to Cawnpore to do duty with the 9th Light Cavalry. He was posted as Cornet to the 10th Light Cavalry on 26 September 1826. He was promoted to Lieutenant in February 1829, and to Captain in November 1839. In January 1842 he accompanied the regiment in its march across the Punjab to Peshawar for service in Afghanistan, and he afterwards took part with it in the operations connected with the forcing of the Khyber Pass and the advance to Jellalabad, and in various movements on the Khyber line, as high up as Gandamak, during the campaign of 1842 under General Pollock (Medal). On the return of the Army from Afghanistan, he accompanied the regiment to Meerut, arriving there in February 1843. In the following November he again accompanied the corps on service, and was present with it throughout the Gwalior campaign of 1843-44, including the battle of Maharajpoor (Bronze Star). He returned with the regiment to Meerut in February 1844, and in the autumn of the same year he accompanied it to Nowgong. In January 1846 he was appointed Superintendent of the Remount Depôt at Muttra, and held this post until near the end of the following March, when he proceeded on leave to Agra. On the 30th May following he was reappointed Superintendent of the Remount Depôt, and having moved with it in October from Muttra to Karnal, he continued holding the appointment for more than four years. In May 1850 he proceeded on sick leave to Mussoorie, and at the end of July he was granted permission to proceed to Calcutta, preparatory to applying for leave to sea; but he did not live to reach that place. He died on board the river steamer Sir Frederick Currie, off Berhampore, on 9 October 1850. There is a monumental inscription to his memory in St Luke’s, Jullundur. Captain Hailes had married, at Mhow, on 10 October 1840, Catherine, the fourth daughter of Hugh Bowen, Esq., formerly Captain in the 41st Foot.