Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Sutlej 1845-46, for Moodkee 1845, 1 clasp, Ferozeshuhur (Drumr. Thomas Simmonds 80th Regt.) good very fine £500-550

Thomas Simmonds was born at Hollingbourne, Nr. Maidstone, Kent, and was attested as a Drummer Boy for the 3rd Foot at Rochester on 18 January 1841, aged 15 years. He was present with the 3rd Foot in the Gwalior campaign and in the action at Punniar on 29 December 1843. He transferred to the 80th Foot on 15 December 1844, having volunteered whilst still in India, and served in the campaign with the Army of the Sutlej and in the actions at Moodkee and Ferozeshuhur. He was discharged in consequence of amputation of the left arm and sent to out-pension at Chelsea Hospital on 27 October 1846.

His Medical Report stated, ‘No. 2258 Drummer Thomas Simmonds received in the action at Ferozeshuhur on the 21st December 1845 a cannon shot wound of the left arm, fracturing the bones and rendering amputation necessary. Severely wounded in the chin and thumb of right hand rendering the latter useless.’ Simmonds afterwards resided at Chatham and died there on 15 July 1851. Sold with full research.