Orders, Decorations and Medals

Punjab 1848-49, 2 clasps, Chilianwala, Goojerat (Lieut. Augs. Darling, Bengal Horse Arty.) later impressed naming, good very fine £300-350

Augustus Darling was born on 3 October 1826 in New South Wales where his father, General Sir Ralph Darling, Kt., G.C.H. (1775-1858), was the Governor during 1824-30. He was educated at King’s College, London, and received a classical and mathematical education. Darling was nominated for the Honourable East India Company by the (1st) Earl of Ripon on the recommendation of his father, and he was examined on 7 March 1845. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Bengal Artillery on 14 June 1845. Arriving in India, he was initially in 6 Battalion and was then posted to 2 Brigade, Bengal Horse Artillery, 1847-54. Serving in the 3rd Troop, he took part in the Punjab Campaign, being present at the battles of Sadoolapore, Chilianwala and Goojerat. For his services he was awarded the Punjab Medal with two clasps. Darling was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on 10 March 1849 and to 2nd Captain on 27 August 1858. He was on furlough in 1856 and it seems because of this he was out of India during the period of the Indian Mutiny. Darling was promoted Captain on 23 August 1861 and Local Major on 14 June 1865. He was promoted Major, Royal (late Bengal) Artillery, on 5 July 1872. He retired on full-pay with special annuity, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel on 1 August 1872. Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Augustus Darling died on 21 May 1887, at The Ridge, Hartfield, near East Grinstead, Sussex. With copied research.

Augustus’s elder brother, Sydney, served in the British Army, being commissioned an Ensign in the 51st Foot in May 1843 and was promoted an Honorary Major-General in April 1884.

Sold with a large framed photograph of a portrait of Augustus Darling as a junior officer, by William Buckler, signed and dated 1845, approx. 395 x 305mm., mounted in a modern glazed distressed gold frame, 570 x 475mm. (this not suitable for posting).