Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Colonel L. C. H. Stainforth, 38th Dogras, Indian Army

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1894-95 (Captain, 38th Bl. Infy.); India General Service 1895-1902, 3 clasps, Waziristan 1901-02, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Malakand 1897 (Captn., 38th Bl. Infy.) clasps mounted in order as listed; British War and Victory Medals (Bt. Col.) the first two with contact marks, very fine, otherwise extremely fine (4) £400-500

Leslie Charles Hamilton Stainforth was born on 23 June 1860, eldest son of Major-General C. R. Stainforth, Madras Cavalry. He was first commissioned from Sandhurst, 22 January 1881, into the South Wales Borderers, and promoted to Lieutenant in July 1881. He transferred to the Indian Army in June 1883 and was posted to the 38th Dogras, becoming Adjutant in January 1891 and Captain in January 1892. Stainforth served in the Waziristan campaign of 1894-95 (Medal and clasp), and on the North West Frontier of India in 1897-98, including the relief and defence of Malakand, the relief of Chakdara, and operations in Bajaur and Mohmand country Medal with two clasps). He was mentioned in despatches for his services at the relief of Chakdara Fort (G.G.O. 1089 of 1897):

‘Colonel Goldney’s force was taken from the Castle Rock picquets, and consisted of about 250 rifles, 35th Sikhs, under Lieutenant-Colonel J. L. E. Bradshaw, and 50 rifles, 38th Dogras, under Captain L. C. H. Stainforth. His attack was supported by the remainder of the picquets holding Castle Rock, and by 2 guns, No. 8 Bengal Mountain Battery, in position near the picquets and under the command of Jemadar Nawab of that battery. Colonel Goldney and his men, on receipt of my order, advanced silently to within about one hundred yards of the enemy’s position without being perceived. Then the enemy, becoming suddenly aware of what was going on, opened an irregular and ineffective fire, and as our men came to close quarters ran away in all directions, leaving seven of their number dead and one prisoner in our hands. There were no casualty of any sort on our side.’

Stainforth served again on the North West Frontier during the operations in Waziristan during 1901-02 (Clasp). He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in August 1904 and appointed as Commandant of the 51st Sikhs in April 1906. He became brevet Colonel in August 1907, left India for the U.K. in August 1909, and retired in January 1913. Recalled for service in February 1915, he was appointed as Commandant, 29th (Reserve) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, and later served with the 19th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. His medal index card records that he served overseas from 19 June 1917. Colonel Stainforth died on 9 May 1940.