Orders, Decorations and Medals

The mounted miniature dress medal group of four attributed to General Sir Charles Reid, G.C.B., Sirmoor Rifles, the famous ‘Gurkha Reid’ of the Siege of Delhi

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, gold and enamel, bulbous centres, straight bar suspension; Sutlej 1845-46, for Aliwal 1846, 1 clasp, Sobraon; India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Pegu; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Delhi, suspended from a composite silver buckle bar (that for the Bath is gold), in fitted leather case of issue, very fine (4)
£1000-1200

Charles Reid was born in London in 1819 and was educated at Repton. He entered the Honourable East India Company at 16 years of age, in 1835. With the Company’ forces he served in the Upper Scinde under Sir Charles Napier in 1843 and was with the Sirmoor Battalion in the 1st Sikh War at Budiwal, Aliwal and Sobraon. In the latter action he brought the battalion out of action and had his horse twice wounded (medal and clasp). He then served with the Martaban Column in the war in Burma, 1852-53 (medal with clasp). Reid commanded the Sirmoor Battalion of Gurkhas throughout the suppression of the Indian Mutiny; being present at the battle of Badul Serai and at the siege of Delhi. At the siege he commanded the main picquet at Hindoo Rao’s house from 8 June to 14 September 1857, during which time he repulsed 26 separate attacks upon his position. He commanded the column in the successful attack on the enemy’s strong point at Kissengunge, where the enemy’s heavy batteries were destroyed. He was severely wounded whilst commanding the 4th Column of assault on Delhi, 14 September 1857. For his services he was awarded the medal and clasp and given the brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel; in addition he received Thanks from Parliament and on four occasions during the Mutiny received thanks of the Government of India. He served in the Oude Campaign, 1858-59. He was subsequently promoted to Colonel and appointed A.D.C. to Queen Victoria. Reid was promoted to Major-General in 1867, Lieutenant-General in 1875 and Brevet General in 1877. Created a K.C.B. in 1871, he was later advanced in the Order to G.C.B. General Charles Reid, G.C.B. died on 23 August 1901.

With a copy of the book, 2nd King Edward VII’s Own Goorkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles) Centenary of the Siege of Delhi 1857 1957, .... as recorded by Major Reid, Commanding the Sirmoor Battalion, 61pp., plus plates and maps, original hard cover. With some additional copied research.