Orders, Decorations and Medals

Four: Lieutenant-Colonel W.D. Hoste, Indian Army, Commanding 6th Punjab Infantry at Umbeyla

CRIMEA 1854-55, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Capt., Land Transt. Corps) contemporary engraved naming; TURKISH CRIMEA, Sardinian issue, contemporary tailors copy; INDIAN MUTINY 1857-58, no clasp (Captn., 5th Punjab Infy.); INDIA GENERAL SERVICE 1854-95, 1 clasp, Umbeyla (Majr., 6th Punjab Infy.) the first three mounted on triple ribbon brooch pin as worn, some light contact marks and edge bruises, otherwise very fine or better (4)

William Dashwood Hoste served in the Crimean campaign in 1855, as a Captain of Division of the Land Transport Corps, with which he served at the siege and capture of Sebastopol, his duties often taking him into the advanced trenches. He served in the Indian Mutiny campaigns of 1857-59; led the Upper Column of attack against the rebel village of Ramijee for which he received the thanks of the Government. He served throughout the Oudh campaign of 1858-9, including the actions of Baree, Simree, Nawabgunge and Sultanpore, and other minor affairs. Hoste commanded the 6th Punjab Infantry during the Umbeyla campaign of 1863-64. For his marked gallantry in leading the charge of his regiment at the attack on Eagle's Nest on 6 October, 1863, he was commended by Brigadier-General Sir Neville Chamberlain, but at the same time censured for his judgement in letting it go too far and suffering eleven men killed and forty-four wounded. He commanded a detachment of the regiment in action against the Bezootee Affreedees in March 1868 and he was prominently engaged on that occasion in driving back the enemy, and was wounded in the engagement in the Ublan Pass. He was again thanked for bravery by both the Supreme and the Punjab Governments. Hoste died suddenly on 28 October 1872, whilst in command of the station at Dera Ismail Khan. A lengthy biography of this officer and his distinguished services can be found in 'Soldiers of the Ra]' by De Rhe-Phillipe and Irving.