Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Lieutenant-General L. S. Bird, Bengal Army

Army of India 1799-1826, 1 clasp, Nepaul (Lieut. L. S. Bird, 1st Battn. 8th N.I.) short hyphen reverse, officially impressed naming; Sutlej 1845-46, for Moodkee 1845, 2 clasps, Ferozeshuhur, Aliwal (Major L: Bird 24th Regt. N: I:) both with contemporary silver top riband buckles, minor edge bruising, otherwise very fine or better (2) £3,000-£4,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Rob Campbell Collection relating to Clevedon, Somerset.

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Louis Saunders Bird was the son of John Jenkins Bird, and was born in Chittagong, 6 November 1792. He entered the military service of the East India Company as a Cadet in 1807, and arrived in India in November of the following year. Bird was appointed Ensign in the Bengal establishment in 1808, and he suspended his service with the Company in order to serve as a Volunteer in Europe.

Bird was attached to the 22nd Foot, and was present with them at the capture of Mauritius in December 1810. He was promoted Ensign in His Majesty’s Service, in recognition of good service rendered. Bird was restored to service with the East India Company in February 1811, and returned to Bengal in March of the same year. He was posted as an Ensign to the 8th Native Infantry, and served with the Regiment as part of the column under the command of Sir David Ochterlong during the Nepaul campaign of 1816, and with the force under Brigadier Nation in the Oudh, 1816-1817.

Bird served as Lieutenant and Adjutant of the 1st Battalion, 8th Native Infantry, 1817-1824. During which time he also served in the war against the Pindarrees, 1817-1819, during the campaign in Bundelcund in 1821, and in Hurrianah, 1824-1825. Bird was made Brevet Captain in June 1823, and advanced to Captain in April 1825. He served as Adjutant with the 24th Native Infantry, June 1824 - May 1825, as D.J.A.G. at Cawnpore 14 May 1830, and was present in the campaign against the Kols, 1832-1833.

Having advanced to Major in June 1840, Bird subsequently served as the Principal Assistant Commissioner for Chota Nagpur. He served with the 24th Native Infantry during the First Sikh War, and was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel in September 1846. Bird subsequently served with the 5th, 13th, 56th and 40th Native Infantry between 1852-1855. He transferred to the 50th Native Infantry in October 1855, and as Brigadier commanded the Sonthal Brigade during the insurrection of the Sonthals, January 1856 - January 1857.

Bird advanced to Colonel in April 1856, and transferred to 23rd Native Infantry in July of the same year. He was promoted Major-General in March 1858, and Lieutenant-General in February 1870. Upon Bird’s return to England he resided at Stanley House, Clevedon, Somerset. He died at his residence in April 1874.

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