Orders, Decorations and Medals

An India campaign service group of three awarded to Captain R. M. J. Tozer, 45th Bengal Native Infantry, who saved the Regimental Colours at Chilianwala

Sutlej 1845-46, for Moodkee 1845, 2 clasps, Ferozeshuhur, Sobraon (Ensign, 45th Regt. N.I.); Punjab 1848-49, 2 clasps, Chilianwala, Goojerat (Lieut., 47th Bengal N.I.); Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Capt., 45 Native Infy.), this last a post-1880 striking with irregular impressed naming, edge nicks, otherwise generally good very fine or better (3) £1200-1500

R. M. J. Tozer entered the 45th Bengal Native Infantry as an Ensign in December 1842 and was present at the Moodkee, Ferozeshuhur and Sobraon in the First Sikh War (Medal and 2 clasps). So, too, in the Punjab campaign 1848-49, when as a recently promoted Lieutenant he was present at the passage of the Chenab, commanded a flank of his regiment in the action at Sadoolapore, and participated in the battles of Chilianwala and Goojerat (Medal and 2 clasps). And it was for his deeds at Chilianwala that he was mentioned in his C.O’s despatch, his statement of services confirming that he rallied 130 men on his Brigade being driven back, and ‘repulsed the Sikhs who were following the Brigade, thereby saving our Regimental Colour, and another, and the lives of a number of our wounded, who would otherwise have been cut up by the enemy’.

Advanced to Captain in August 1854, Tozer went on to witness further action in the Indian Mutiny, when he was attached to the 2nd Bengal Fusiliers in the Delhi Field Force - but was not present at the assault - and afterwards accompanied the column under General Showers, C.B., with whom he was present at the capture of several forts. Indeed the General placed him in command of one of these at Ranonde (Medal).