Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The First Burmese War Medal awarded to Major-General John Clarke, K.H., an Ensign in the 54th Foot at Waterloo, who was severely wounded leading the attack upon the fortified heights of Arracan in Burma
Army of India 1799-1826, 1 clasp, Ava (Captn. J. Clarke, Brig. Maj.) short hyphen reverse, officially impressed naming, ribbon fitted with contemporary silver slide clasp inscribed ‘Arracan’, light marks, otherwise toned, very fine £2000-2500

John Clarke was appointed an Ensign in the 54th on 2 June 1814, and served with the regiment in the campaign of 1815, including the battle of Waterloo and storming of Cambrai. Promoted to Lieutenant in November 1821, he was appointed Aide-de-Camp to Brigadier-General William Macbean, 54th Foot, and served in the campaign of 1824 and 1825 in Ava, including the taking of Rangoon, Kimendine, Kamaroot, and Mahattee. He led the attack on the fortified heights of Arracan, 29 March 1825, and was severely wounded in the neck, arm and left side.

‘Where the advance halted it was partly covered by a tank, and Brigadier-General Macbean made a disposition for acquiring the principal hills in the first range at the commencement of the pass. Four pieces of artillery were ordered forward to cover the attack, and the troops for the assault, consisting of the light infantry company of His Majesty’s 54th Regiment, four companies of the 2nd Light Infantry Battalion, and the light infantry companies of the 10th and 16th regiments of Madras Native Infantry, with the rifle company of the Mugh Levy, were placed under Major Kemm; a support of six companies of the 16th Regiment, Madras Native Infantry, under Captain French of that corps, followed.

The assault commenced, and in spite of a well-directed fire and of the steepness of the ascent, which was occasionally nearly perpendicular, many gained the summit. Lieutenant Clarke, Aide-de-Camp to Brigadier-General Macbean, with several of the light infantry company of His Majesty’s 54th Regiment, got their hands on the trench, but even with the assistance such a hold afforded were unable to maintain their ground; large stones were rolled on them and smaller ones were discharged from bows; the consequence was they were precipitated to the bottom. In this attempt the efforts were persevered till every officer was wounded.’ (Despatch of Brigadier-General J. W. Morrison, commanding South-Eastern Division)..

Clarke was promoted to Captain in August 1826; Major, December 1829; Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel, November 1841; Lieutenant-Colonel, February 1849; Colonel, June 1854; Major-General, October 1858. He was appointed Colonel of the 59th Foot on 9 March 1863, and died on 22 March 1865.