Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Umbeyla (802 T. Cunningham 71st. Higlrs.) edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine £200-£240

Thomas Cunningham was born at Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire, in 1840 and attested for the 71st Highlanders at Stirling Castle on 16 August 1860. He served with them in India from 13 July 1861, and saw action during the Umbeyla campaign, before transferring to the 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade on 2 November 1864. Returning home on 24 November 1867, he proceeded with the Rifle Brigade to the Gold Coast on 21 November 1873, and saw further service during the Ashantee campaign, during which he was wounded in action, by a gun shot to the neck during the fighting following the crossing of the River Oda on 4 February 1874 (entitled to medal with clasp Coomassie).

Cunningham subsequently served for six years in Gibraltar, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 1 November 1879. Returning home, he was discharged on 26 August 1881, after 21 years and 10 days’ service.

Sold with copied service papers, medal roll extracts, and other research.