Auction Catalogue

19 & 20 July 2017

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

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Lot

№ 1378

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20 July 2017

Hammer Price:
£60

Army of India 1799-1826 card box of issue, named to ‘Major W. R. Corfield 31st. N.I.’, with original ‘India Medal’ sticker, slightly distressed condition £60-80

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.

Note: General Corfield’s medals, including his Army of India Medal with Bhurtpore clasp, named to him as a Lieutenant in the 31st Native Infantry, were sold in these rooms in June 2002.