The Collection of British Orders, Decorations and Medals formed by the late Fred Rockwood

A Mahratta War C.B. and Seringapatam pair awarded to Colonel T. H. S. Conway, Madras Cavalry, Adjutant General to the Army of the Deccan during the Second Mahratta War 1817-19

The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge in 22 carat gold and enamels, maker’s mark ‘TD HD’, date mark indistinct but probably 1815, complete with gold swivel-ring wide suspension and gold ribbon buckle, some wear to integral suspension loop at 12 o’clock, centres re-fixed and reverse triple-crown embellishment a later replacement; Honourable East India Company Medal for Seringapatam 1799, silver, Soho Mint, contained in an ornately chased silver rimmed glazed frame, the edge inscribed (Cornet T. H. S. Conway, 2nd Regt. L.C.) fitted with straight swivel-ring suspension, silver ribbon buckle and ornate ribbon bar inscribed ‘Seringapatam’, unless otherwise described, good very fine (2) £4000-5000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of British Orders, Decorations and Medals formed by the late Fred Rockwood.

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C.B. London Gazette 14 October 1818. Awarded for services in the Mahratta War 1817-18.

Lieutenant-Colonel Conway was Adjutant General of the Army at the Battle of Maheidpore and was mentioned in General Orders of Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Hislop, dated Headquarters of the Army of the Deccan, Camp at Maheidpore, December 22nd, 1817, ‘his important services during the action fought yesterday, can never be effaced from his [Hislop’s] memory.’

Conway was again mentioned in General Orders by Sir Thomas Hislop after the operations against the fort at Talneir, 27 February 1818, ‘The conduct of Lieutenant-Colonel Conway, Adjutant-General of the Army, and the increasing and energetic display of that officer’s personal courage and able arrangements throughout the day, were such as his Excellency well knew, from former experience, that he should derive the greatest benefit from. Sir Thomas Hislop begs the Lieutenant-Colonel to accept of his warmest thanks for the great aid he has on the present occasion had from him.’ At this action, the Killadar of Talneir surrendered in person to Lieutenant-Colonel Conway, but it transpired to be an act of treachery by the Killadar, whose Arabs then opened a murderous fire on the gallant band of troops who had gained entry into the fort. These Arabs were put to the sword without delay and the Killadar was hanged from one of the bastions as soon as the place fell.

Thomas Henry Somerset Conway was appointed Cornet, 2nd Regiment Light Cavalry, Madras Presidency, in 1798; Lieutenant, 4 September 1799; Captain, 27 January 1810; Major, 18 October 1818; Lieut.-Colonel, 5 March 1826; Brevet Colonel, 18 June 1831. He died of cholera at Nackry Kul on 13 May 1837.

Another Seringapatam Medal is known to exist, similarly named and mounted in chased frame with Seringapatam bar. The pair offered here was previously sold by DNW in June 1997 and in March 2002