Orders, Decorations and Medals

Candahar Ghuznee Cabul 1842 (Gunner Joseph Baker, 3d Compy. 1st Battn. Bombay Foot Arty.) engraved in running script, fitted with a silver clip and hinged straight bar suspension, edge bruising, contact marks, nearly very fine
£500-600

Provenance: Bought Spink 1962; ex D.N.W. 11 December 2013.

91 medals awarded to the 3/1st Bombay Foot Artillery with this reverse.

Joseph Barker was born in the Parish of St Helens, Worcester, in 1815. He enlisted in London on 14 March 1836, for unlimited service, a Blacksmith by trade, aged 20. He embarked for India on 9 May 1836 in the Walmer Castle, arriving on 29 August 1836. He was posted to the 3rd Company, 1st Battalion, Bombay Artillery, and served in Afghanistan in 1840-42. He subsequently served 1 year 119 days in H.Ms. 35th Regiment before purchasing his discharge. He was pensioned in March 1853 and sent to Europe, and died at Birmingham on 28 March 1875.

The 3rd Company, 1st Battalion, Bombay Artillery, was present at the capture of Manora, near Karachi, in February 1840, Captain W. Brett in command. In January 1841, equipped as a Light Field Battery with six 9-pounders, four guns left Sukkur for Quetta, Captain C. Blood in command. These four guns arrived at Candahar on 23 October to form part of Nott’s force, being involved in several actions in the following January and March. The force marched out towards Cabul on 9 August and took part in the action at Gohain, 29-30 August, the occupation of Ghuznee, 5-6 September, and actions at Beni Badam on the 14th and Maidan on the 15th of the same month. Nott’s force reached Cabul on 17 September, two days after the arrival of Pollock’s force.

On 30 September, two guns under Lieutenant Terry took part in the burning of the village of Istalif. The whole force left Cabul for India on 12 October, Nott’s force acting as rear-guard. On 6 November, Terry was mortally wounded at Ali Musjid, the final day of the campaign. The force reached Ferozepore on 17 December 1842.