Orders, Decorations and Medals

Pair: Lieutenant-General Sir Gordon Pritchard, K.C.B., Royal Engineers

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 2 clasps, Relief of Lucknow, Lucknow (Lieut. G. D. Pritchard, Royal Engrs.); China 1857-60, 2 clasps, Taku Forts 1860, Pekin 1860 (Lieut. G. D. Pritchard, Royal Engineers) officially impressed naming, claws tightened on both, edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise, nearly very fine and scarce (2) £800-1000

Gordon Douglas Pritchard was born on 22 April 1835 and educated at King’s College, London, and the R.M.A., Woolwich. He was commissioned as Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers on 31 July 1855. During the Indian Mutiny he was present at the action of Khujwa; throughout the relief of Lucknow under Lord Clyde; the battle of Cawnpore, 1857; actions of Khodagunge; siege and capture of Lucknow; attack on Fort Rooya; action of Allygunge; capture of Bareilly; action of Dounderkeira; capture of Fort Oomreah; action of Burjidia; capture of Fort Musjudia; and the affair on the Raptee, near Bankee (Medal with two clasps).

In the China War of 1860, he was present at the actions of Sinho and Tangku. After Major Graham, R.E., was wounded, Pritchard led the assaulting party at the storming of the North Taku Fort, being in charge of the escalading party and one of the first to enter. He was afterwards present at the affairs on 18 and 23 September and the surrender of Pekin (Medal with two clasps; twice mentioned in despatches).

Pritchard was present throughout the Abyssinian campaign of 1867-68, when he was in command of 10th Company, Royal Engineers. He was present at the action of Arogee and led the assault at the storming of the fortress of Magdala, when he was wounded in the right arm and shoulder (Medal; mentioned in despatches). He was awarded the C.B. in 1886 and was promoted Lieutenant-General in 1890, retiring the following year. Pritchard became Colonel Commandant, Royal Engineers, in December 1902, and was created K.C.B. in 1908. He died at Oatlands Park, Weybridge on 23 January 1912, aged 76. Sold with small original portrait photograph and other copied photographs.