Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria. To coincide with the OMRS Convention

Four: Colonel C. E. D. Branson, 17th Bengal Native Infantry

India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, Umbeyla, Looshai (Lieut., 6th Punjab Infty.) second clasp loose on ribbon as issued; Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (Maj., 31st Regt. B.N.I.); Egypt & Sudan 1882-89, 1 clasp, Suakin 1885 (Major, 17th Bengal Infy.); Khedive’s Star 1884-6, unnamed, mounted as worn but the ribbons frayed and the first now detached, together with an attractive and contemporary gilt-framed portrait, 33.5 x 28cm (50 x 45cm. overall), possibly a painted photograph, and four original Commissions, some damage to gilt frame, the medals a little polished, otherwise good very fine (4) £1800-2200

Charles Edward Douglas Branson was born in Madras on 2 January 1842. After an education in England, he was commissioned as Ensign on 8 September 1859 and arrived in India in January 1860. Shortly afterwards he was attached for duty to the 88th Regiment (Connaught Rangers) at Delhi, and remained with them until February 1861, when he was transferred for duty to the 42nd Royal Highlanders. He was subsequently transferred, in June 1861, to the 17th (Loyal Poobeah) Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (doing duty), and in May 1863, to the 37th Bengal Native Infantry.

In November 1863, Branson was on temporary attachment to the 6th Punjab Infantry for field service in the Umbeyla campaign until December 1863, with the force under Brigadier-General Sir Neville Chamberlain, K.C.B. (Medal with clasp). He afterwards rejoined the 37th N.I. and served with them until he joined the 26th Punjab Infantry in October 1870. In October 1871, however, he was appointed Assistant Commander of the Cooly Corps with the Looshai Expeditionary Force, and served with the Cooly Corps throughout the expedition with the Left (Chachar) Column, under General G. Bourchier, C.B., R.A. (Clasp to Indian medal).

During the Second Afghan War, Branson served with the 29th Bengal Infantry in the Kurram Division of the Kabul Field Force, including the attack on Ali Khel, 14 October 1879, the capture of Zawa, 8 December 1879, and with the Zaimusht Expedition, 23 December 1879; also with the 31st Bengal Infantry in the Hissarak Valley expedition in April 1880, when he was in command of moveable columns at Jellalabad and Safed Sang (Medal). He was mentioned in the despatch of Brigadier-General T. E. Gordon, dated 12 November 1879.

In June 1885, Branson returned to the 17th (Loyal Poobeah) Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry, and served with them in the Suakin Expedition of 1885 and Wing Commander and second-in-command (Medal with clasp and Bronze Star). He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in September 1885 and was appointed Commandant of the 17th Bengal Native Infantry in December 1887. He retired with the rank of Colonel in September 1889, when he was transferred to the Non-effective List Bengal. Colonel Branson died in the 1930s at Southbourne, Bournemouth.