Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Punjab campaign medal awarded to Captain Charles Dunbar, 10th Foot, who was killed in action at the relief of Arrah in July 1857

Punjab 1848-49, 1 clasp, Goojerat (Captn. C. Dunbar. 10th Foot.) edge bruising and contact marks, therefore good fine £600-800

Charles Dunbar was appointed Ensign in the 18th (Royal Irish) Regiment on 3 April 1826, and became Lieutenant in November 1832. He served during the campaign in China with the 18th Regiment, including the actions at Canton, Amoy, Chusan, Chinae, Ningpo, Chapoo, Shanghai, Woosung and Chin Kiang Foo (Medal and brevet of Captain).

Dunbar transferred to the 10th (North Lincolnshire) Regiment and was confirmed in the rank of Captain in September 1845. He served during the Punjab campaign with the 10th Regiment, including the battle of Goojerat (Medal with clasp).

At the outbreak of the Mutiny the 10th Regiment was at Dinapore, watching over three battalions of sepoys which had not been disarmed. On 26 July 1857, the sepoys mutinied and made off for Arrah which they besieged. On the 29th July a force of about 400 British and Sikh troops, consisting of portions of the 10th and 37th Regiments, under the command of Captain Dunbar of the 10th, were sent up river by steamer to Arrah, and landed in the evening. Captain Dunbar pushed on to the outskirts of the town, when the sepoys opened a heavy fire and caused many casualties. Only 3 officers and 50 men were unwounded, and they were hotly pursued back to the steamer. Captain Dunbar was killed either on the 29th or the 30th (accounts differ).

William Fraser McDonnell, Bengal Civil Service, won the Victoria Cross for gallantry at Arrah. ‘He was standing by Dunbar when that brave leader fell, being splashed with his chief’s blood.’

Dunbar’s China campaign medal was sold in these rooms on 17 September 2004 (Lot 683). His Indian Mutiny medal has not been sighted.