Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria including the collection to Naval Artificers formed by JH Deacon

A fine campaign group of six awarded to General W. R. Corfield, Indian Army, Commanding Bengal Troops in China 1860

Army of India 1799-1826, 1 clasp, Bhurtpoor (Lieut., 31st N.I.) short hyphen reverse, officially engraved naming; Cabul 1842, unnamed as issued; Maharajpoor Star 1843 (Captain, 31st Regt. Native Infantry) fitted with original hook and additional silver bar suspension; Punjab 1848-49, 2 clasps, Chilianwala, Goojerat (Major, Commg. 31st Bengal N.I.); India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, North West Frontier (Major, 31st Native Infty.); China 1857-60, no clasp (Brigr., Commg. Bengal Troops) officially impressed naming, all but the star contained in a contemporary fitted case with inscribed label ‘General W. R. Corfield’, edge bruise to the last, otherwise nearly eaxtremely fine and a rare group (6) £3000-3500

William Robert Corfield was born at Cawnpore, India, in 1805. He entered the Bengal Army in 1821, and in 1823, while still only an Ensign, he dispersed a body of mutinous troops belonging to the King of Oude, and seized the two guns they had brought against him. He was present at the siege and storming of Bhurtpore in 1825-26 (medal and clasp). In 1836-37 he was in command of the 31st Bengal Native Infantry in the Cole and Santal campaign and received the thanks of the Governor-General. He served throughout the Cabul campaign in 1838-40 and was present at the storming of Khelat in 1839, on which occasion he commanded a wing of his regiment which forced the gate of the citadel (medal). In 1842 he was attached to the Light Infantry Brigade of the Army of the Sutlej. In 1843 he served in the Gwalior campaign, including the battle of Maharajpore (bronze star). He commanded the 31st Bengal Native Infantry throughout the Punjab campaign, including the actions of Ramnuggur, Sadoolapore, Chilianwala, and Goojerat, and subsequent pursuit of the Sikhs and Afghans to Peshawur (medal, two clasps, and brevet Lieutenant-Colonel). In 1850 he commanded the regiment which formed part of the force proceeding to Kohat under Sir Charles Napier (frontier medal and clasp). From 1858 to 1860 he served in China, in command of the Bengal brigade (medal). During the eleven years he commanded the 31st Bengal Native Infantry, the regiment attained a high degree of discipline, so much so that it was the only battalion of the Bengal Army which remained loyal throughout the mutiny. He was promoted to the rank of General on 1 October 1877, and died in London on 30 November 1882.

The medals of his elder brother, Major-General F. B. Corfield, were sold in these rooms in March 1996.