Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Army of India 1799-1826, 1 clasp, Maheidpoor (Capt. W. Borthwick, Brigde. Major) short hyphen reverse, impressed naming, with ornate silvered brooch bar on ribbon, some naming lightly struck, good very fine, scarce £2600-3000

William Borthwick was born on 8 October 1786 and was baptised in Edinburgh in December that year. He entered the Honorable East India Company’s Madras service as a Cadet in 1805. Appointed an Ensign in 1806 and a Lieutenant in 1810. During the Third Mahratta War he was present at the battle of Maheidpoor, 21 December 1817, where Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Hislop decisively defeated Holkar of Indore. Further promotions followed, being advanced to Captain in 1824, Major in 1834 and Lieutenant-Colonel (of the 33rd Native Infantry) in 1839. He retired in 1843 and was made Honorary Colonel in 1854. Colonel Borthwick died at Longwood, Langholm, Dumfries on 26 July 1867.