Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare group of six attributed to Lieutenant-General Sir John Cox, K.C.B., 13th (Somerset) Light Infantry, who distinguished himself in action at the regiments foremost battle honour ‘Jellalabad’comprising The Most Honourable Order of The Bath (Military), C.B., in silver-gilt and enamels; Cabul 1842, a struck medal, the reverse inner wreath inscribed ‘Cabul 1842’; Defence of Jellalabad 1842, obverse with applied mural crown and inscribed ‘Jellalabad’, reverse inscribed ‘VII April 1842’; Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Central India; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, all contained in an old glazed display frame; together with a contemporary watercolour (lifesize) of his full size awards, this including a Turkish Order of the Medjidie, the top of the frame with Somerset Light Infantry badge attached, the reverse with large old paper label giving comprehensive biographical detail, the gilt moulding of the frame substantially damaged; and a studio photograph of recipient as an old man, good very fine and the Cabul and Jellalabad Medals rarely seen in miniature (6) £400-500

Colonel Sir John Cox, K.C.B. joined the 13th Light Infantry in 1838, and served with them through the campaigns of 1840-42 in Afghanistan, being present at the assault and capture of the town and fort of Tootumdurrah, the storming of Jhoolghur, night attack of Baboo Koosh Ghur, attack on Khardariah, the storming of the Khoord Cabool Pass, affair of Tezeen, forcing the Jugdulluck Pass, reduction of the fort of Mamoo Khail, the defence of Jellalabad & sorties on 14 November (Mentioned in Despatches), general action with and defeat of the besieging force under Akbar Khan on the 7th April1842, for which he was Mentioned in Despatches for gallant conduct throughout the day and for being the first of the party which captured them to seize two of the enemy’s cannon; the storming of the Jugdulluck Heights, general action at Tezeen and recapture of Cabool.

During the Crimean War he was present at the Battle of Tchernaya and the seize and fall of Sevastopol (Order of the Medjidie, 5th Class). He commanded the left wing of the 13th Light Infantry during the Indian Mutiny, being present at eight engagements, for which he was awarded a C.B. and Mentioned in Despatches a number of times. He became a Colonel in 1863; Major-General, 1869; Lieutenant-General, 1882. He was created a K.C.B. in 1896.