Orders, Decorations and Medals

A First China War C.B. group of four awarded to Major-General T. S. Reignolds, 49th Regiment, later commanding 18th Royal Irish Regiment during the Burmese War of 1852-53 and in the Crimea

The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Military) breast badge in 22 carat gold and enamels, hallmarked London 1828, complete with original wide swivel-ring suspension and gold ribbon buckle, part of ‘rose, thistle and crown ‘ device lacking from reverse centre; China 1842 (T. S. Reignolds, C.B., Major 49th Regiment Foot) fitted with contemporary replacement ring and gold bar suspension; India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Pegu (Lt. Coll., 18th “Royal Irish” Regt.); Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Coll., C.B., 18th Regt. R.I.) contemporary engraved naming, the first with minor enamel chips, otherwise good very fine (4) £4000-4500

See Colour Plate II

Thomas Scott Reignolds was the son of Major Thomas Reignolds, Scots Greys, who was killed in action at the Battle of Waterloo, 18 June 1815. Major Reignolds was Brigade Major to Ponsonby’s Brigade of Cavalry and, with Sir William Ponsonby, became separated from the brigade and caught in heavy mud form which their horses were unable to extricate themselves. They were seen to be in difficulty by some Polish Lancers of Napoleon’s cavalry who immediately attacked and killed them.

Thomas Scott Reignolds was appointed Ensign in the 49th Regiment in June 1825, becoming Lieutenant, April 1828; Captain, April 1831; Major, July 1842. He served with the 49th Regiment in the China War 1841-42, and was present at the storming of the heights and forts above Canton on 26th May, 1841; at the taking of Amoy on 16th August 1841; the second capture of Chusan on 1st October 1841; the storming of the fortified heights of Chinhae on 10th October 1841; and the taking of Ningpo on 13th October 1841. He was severely wounded at the attack and capture of the enemy’s entrenched camp on the heights of Segoan on 15th March 1842, and was again wounded at the capture of Chapoo on 18th May. He subsequently took part in the operations at Woosung on 13th June, at Chin Kiang Foo on 22nd July, and the landing at Nankin on 4th August 1842. Major Reignolds was frequently mentioned in despatches and was made C.B. for his services during the China campaign.

Promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in March 1844, Reignolds exchanged the following month into the 18th Royal Irish Regiment, with whom he served throughout the Burmese war of 1852-53, although for much of the period he served as Brigadier. On 4 April 1852, he embarked with a force of 1,400 men from Moulmein for the attack on Martaban, where he commanded at the attack on shore. He was on board H.M.S. Rattler during that ship’s engagement with, and destruction of, the stockades on the river side of Rangoon on 11 April 1852. On the following morning he landed in command of the 18th Regiment, and the next day he succeeded to the command of the 1st Bengal Brigade which he commanded for the duration of the war, and was present at the storm and capture of Rangoon, the capture of Prome, and repulse of the enemy on the night of 8th December 1852. For his services he was several times recommended by General Godwin to the Governor-General of India in Council.

Reignolds remained in Burma as part of the occupation army until returning to Calcutta in November 1853, and returned from India with the 18th Royal Irish in May 1854. Promoted to Colonel the following month, he embarked with the 18th Regiment for the Crimea in December 1854 and landed late in that month. He served during the siege of Sebastopol until April 1855, at which time he was recalled to England pending his promotion to Major-General, which took place in October 1855. Major-Genral Reignolds died in Jersey, Channel Islands, on 5 July 1875.