Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Second Mahratta War medal awarded to Colonel J. J. Meredith, 4th Light Cavalry, who was wounded in Wellesley’s famous victory at Assye and had his horse shot from under him at Argaum

Army of India 1799-1826, 3 clasps, Assye, Argaum, Gawilghur (Lieut. J. T. Meredith, 4th Lt. Cavy.) short hyphen reverse, officially impressed naming, note incorrect second initial, extremely fine £6000-8000

Ex Loxley Collection 1949.

A superb medal for Major-General Sir Arthur Wellesley’s famous victories in the Deccan during the Second Mahratta War. Wellesley (later the Duke of Wellington) received these same three clasps. Approximately 85 clasps issued for Assye, 122 for Argaum, and 113 for Gawilghur; 149 medals issued with 3 clasps, 52 with this combination. Only four of the officers wounded at Assye lived to claim their medals.

John Josiah Meredith was born on 10 December 1781, and joined the 4th Madras Light Cavalry as a Cornet on 20 July 1801. He was wounded at the battle of Assye on 23 September 1803 (despatch from Major-General Wellesley in Calcutta Gazette of 30 October 1803 refers) and had his horse killed under him at the battle of Argaum on 29 November 1803 (despatch from Major-General Wellesley in Calcutta Gazette of 25 December 1803 refers). Meredith became Lieutenant in February 1805, and Captain in January 1816. As Captain in the 4th Light Cavalry he shared Prize Money for the capture of Kittoor in December 1824, and was promoted to Major in June 1826. He became Lieutenant-Colonel in March 1833, and Colonel on the retired list in November 1854. His name is still listed in the Madras Army List for 1864.