Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An outstanding campaign group of five to Corporal James Lake, 53rd Foot

Sutlej 1845-46, for Aliwal 1846, 1 clasp, Sobraon (James Lake, 53rd Regt.); Punjab 1848-49, 1 clasp, Goojerat (James Lake, 53rd Foot); India General Service 1854-94, 1 clasp, North West Frontier (2293 J. Lake, 53rd Regt.); Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (James Lake, 53rd Regt.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., small letter reverse (2293 Corpl. James Lake, 53rd Foot) the first two with contact marks and edge bruising, better than good fine, the remainder very fine or better and very rare (5)

James Lake was born in the Parish of Toft Monks, Norfolk, near the town of Eccles, and attested for the 19th Regiment at Bungay, Suffolk, on 3 March 1844, aged 18 years. He transferred at his own request to the 53rd Regiment on 1 July 1844. James Lake was wounded at the battle of Sobron, by a ball in the head, and lost his eye in consequence. This did not however stop him from taking part in the Punjab campaign and the battle of Goojerat, nor the fall of Lucknow. He was discharged at Dublin, at his own request, having completed 21 Years service, on 13 June 1865. Sold with copy discharge papers.

It was not until 1872 that he received one of the 130 medals issued to the 53rd Foot for the expedition against the Utman Khels on the North West Frontier in May 1852. The regiment, however, had taken no part in the fighting. Lieutenant-Colonel W. R. Mansfield had marched them hard to the action but realising they would arrive too late had ridden on alone. However, as the Regimental History loyaly explains, ‘The approach of the 53rd caused the tribesmen to yield,’ and perhaps for this reason the regiment initially qualified for the medal. But the authorities reconsidered the matter after issuing 130 medals and added the following note to the foot of the medal roll:

‘The medal should not have been granted to this Regiment, vide Military Letter No. 4, 2 Jan 1874. No further claims can be admitted. The Regiment never left the cantonment at Peshawar and remained in a state of intense tranquility during the whole operation.’