Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part I)

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Central India (Captn. T. Barrett, 14th Lgt. Dragns.) replacement suspension post and refixed claw, traces of old brooch-mounting, fine £180-220

Thomas Barrett purchased a Cornetcy in the 14th Light Dragoons in December 1846, and a Lieutenancy in January 1848. He was subsequently engaged throughout the Punjab operations, being present in the action at Ramnuggar on 22 November 1848, the passage of the Chenab, including the action at Shoodalpore on 3 December, and in the battles of Chilianwala and Goojerat in the following year.

Having purchased a Captaincy in December 1853, Barrett was also present with the 14th Light Dragoons in the Persian Expedition of 1857, but it was in the Indian Mutiny that he witnessed his most extensive period of active service.

In June 1857, he was present in the affair at Aurungabad, when he pursued over open country some mutineers from the 1st Cavalry - those that were captured were executed by hanging, ‘or else by being shot away from the cannon’s mouth’. Next joining the Malwa Field Force, Barrett fought at the siege and capture of Dhar in October 1857, in the assorted actions at Mundessor in the following month, and at the siege and capture of Chandarie in March 1858.

Afterwards, as part of Sir Hugh Rose’s Central India Field Force, he was present in the engagement at Betwa in April 1858, the siege and capture of Jhansi later that month, and at Koonch, the action at Gowlowlee and the pursuit of the rebels at Calpee in May. During the latter action he distinguished himself when his troop went ‘straight into a line of retiring enemy and cut up about 300 rebels, losing only two men wounded, with three horses killed and three horses wounded, and also captured four elephants’. He was subsequently mentioned in Colonel Gall’s despatch, his men having done ‘great execution amongst the rebels’.

Barrett, who was latterly present at the capture of the Morar cantonments and the taking of Gwalior in June 1858, died of hepatitis at Kirkee on 12 August 1859.