Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Army of India 1799-1826, 1 clasp, Ava (Lieut. T. S. Kirby, Arty.) short hyphen reverse, officially impressed naming, nearly extremely fine £900-£1,200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of the late Roy Painter.

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Provenance: Debenham’s, May 1901; Glendining, February 1920 and July 1929; Sotheby, February 1985; Christie’s, July 1988 and July 1990.

John Stupart Kirby (note incorrect initial on medal) was born at Greenwich on 28 May 1795, and educated at Eton 1808-09. A Cadet at Addiscombe 1810-11, he was appointed Fireworker on 14 January 1812 and admitted to the Bengal Establishment a week later. Officiating as Engineer at Malacca for 2 years from September 1814, he served with the Foot Artillery throughout the Third Mahratta War. Promoted to Lieutenant in February 1818, he moved to 2nd Troop 2nd Battalion Horse Artillery in 1820, and was appointed Adjutant & Quartermaster to Captain Curphy’s detachment in October 1822; Adjutant Chittagong Division Artillery, October 1824. Served in First Burma War in Arakan 1825 (Medal). Kirby was promoted to Captain in August 1828 and retired on 31 December 1838. He died in London on 23 October 1851.