Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Sutlej 1845-46, for Moodkee 1845, 1 clasp, Ferozeshuhur (Drumr. Thomas Simmonds 80th Regt.) good very fine £550-650

Thomas Simmonds was born in the Parish of Hollingbourne, near Maidstone, Kent, and was attested as a Drummer Boy for the 3rd Regiment, or Buffs, at Rochester on 18 January 1841, aged 15 years. He served in the campaign against the Gwalior in the action of Punniar, 29 December 1843. He transferred to the 80th Regiment on on 15 December 1844, having volunteered on that date. As recorded in his discharge papers, ‘No. 2258 Drummer Thomas Simmonds received in the action at Feroshah on the 21st December 1845, a cannon shot wound of the left arm, fracturing the bones, and rendering amputation necessary. Also severely wounded in the chin and thumb of the right hand, rendering the latter useless’. He was consequently invalided to England where he was discharged on 27 October 1846. Sold with copied discharge papers.