Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Captain C. Lightening, Commissary Department, Indian Army, late Northumberland Fusiliers

Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (Offg. Sub-Condr. C. Lightening, Comst. Dt.); India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, Burma 1885-7, Looshai, clasps remounted in this order (Sergt. C. Lightening Commt. Dept.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (Sergt. C. Lightening. Commt. Deptt.) light contact marks, tones, good very fine and better (3) £400-£500

Charles Lightening was born in Bengal 11 January 1844, the son of Quartermaster Sergeant James Lightening, 9th Foot, a veteran of the First Afghan and First Sikh Wars. He attested for the Northumberland Fusiliers on 11 January 1859, on his 15th birthday; arrived in India on 20 January 1860; and was appointed a Drummer on 22 November 1860. Transferring to the Commissariat Department (Unattached List (Supernumerary)) on 1 January 1870, he was promoted Sergeant on 10 February 1871, and served with the Commissariat Transport Corps during the Expedition against the Looshais, 9 December 1871 to 20 February 1872, as part of the left hand Cachar column under Brigadier-General G. Bourchier, which also included Captain F. S. Roberts (later Field Marshal Lord Roberts).

Lightening saw further service in the Duffla Expedition as part of the column under General Stafford (although no clasp was issued for this expedition), and during the Second Afghan War from 18 September 1879 to 15 October 1880, where he was in the commissariat charge at Sheh Bulia and elsewhere across the frontier during that period. He was appointed Sub-Conductor in the Commissariat Department on 21 May 1881, and saw further service during the Third Burma War, being promoted Honorary Lieutenant on 18 January 1891 ‘for service in the field’.

Lightening was confirmed in the rank of Lieutenant on 20 March 1895, and is noted as ‘serving with the Chitral Relief Force’ (although it is unconfirmed as to whether or not he received a medal); and was advanced to his ultimate rank of Captain on 13 August 1895. He retired on 11 January 1899, on his 55th birthday, and died on 8 March 1916.

Sold with a large quantity of copied research, including service papers and medal roll extracts.