Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A First Afghan War C.B. group of three awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel F. S. Sotheby, Bengal Artillery

The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge, gold and enamel, hallmarks for London, young head Victoria but date letter indistinct, complete with wide gold swivel-ring and straight-bar suspension and riband buckle; Army of India 1799-1826, 1 clasp, Maheidpoor (Lieut., Nizam’s Contingent), short hyphen reverse, officially impressed naming; Ghuznee Cabul 1842 (Major, Bengal Artillery), with hinged-bar silver suspension, contemporary stipple engraved naming, good very fine and rare (3) £3500-4000

C.B. London Gazette 24 December 1842.

Frederick Samuel Sotheby was born in London in July 1792, the fifth son of William Sotheby of Sewardstone, Northamptonshire. A Woolwich cadet, he was nominated for the Honourable East India Company’s forces in August 1806 and was appointed a Fireworker in the Bengal Artillery in November 1810.

Appointed to command guns attached to the Nizam’s brigade of regular infantry in May 1816, and confirmed in the rank of Lieutenant in September of the following year, he witnessed active service in the Third Mahratta War, when he was present at Maheidpoor on 21 December 1817 and at the siege of Nowah in January 1819, latterly as a Lieutenant in the 1st Company, 3rd Battalion, Bengal Artillery, and as part of Russell’s brigade in the Nizam’s contingent.

Sotheby remained employed in the Hyderabad contingent until 1838, gaining advancement to Captain in January 1826 and appointment as C.O. of the 1st Company of the Nizam’s Artillery, and was later commander of the Hingoli Division of the Nizam’s army. Further advancement followed in November 1841, after his return from furlough, when he became a Major, a promotion that witnessed his return to active service in the First Afghan War. He was subsequently present at the action of 12 January 1842 (London Gazette 24 November 1842 refers), and as a Major, 2nd Battalion, Bengal Artillery, commanded Nott’s artillery, services that resulted in his appointment to the Order of the Bath. He was latterly C.O. of artillery at Ferozepore, and of the Ludhiana Division, and retired in March 1844.

Sotheby was advanced to the rank of Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel in November 1854 and died at his residence, 47 Park Street, Grosvenor Square, London in October 1870.