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

Pair: Major F. J. MacFarlane, 9th Lancers

Sutlej 1845-46, for Sobraon 1846, no clasp (Lieut., 9th Lancers), surname spelt ‘McFarlane’; Punjab 1848-49, 2 clasps, Chilianwala, Goojerat (Lieut., 9th Lancers), the first with silver riband brooch, edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise generally good fine (2) £700-900

Francis John MacFarlane was appointed a Cornet in the 9th Lancers in January 1843, and quickly witnessed active service out in India, where he participated in the First Sikh War and was present at Sobraon, ‘previous to which he was wounded in a skirmish close to the Sikh entrenchments’ (Hart’s refers).

Having been advanced to Lieutenant in October 1845, MacFarlane served throughout the Punjab operations of 1848-49 and was present with the regiment at the crossing of the Chenab and in the battles of Chilianwala and Goojerat, but he transferred to the 3rd Dragoon Guards in the rank of Captain in July 1855. He was placed on half-pay as a Major in May 1869.