Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Crimean and Indian campaign group of four awarded to Major-General Charles Armstrong, Bengal Staff Corps, who lost his right leg at the battle of Cawnpore but went on to fight through the Umbeyla campaign of 1863

Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Captn. Chas. Armstrong, Volunteer with 49th Foot) contemporary engraved naming; Turkish Crimea 1855, British issue, unnamed; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Lt. & Interpr. C. Armstrong, Attd. 2nd Bn. Rifle Bde.); India General Service 1854-94, 1 clasp, Umbeyla (Captain C. Armstrong, 14th Native Infy.) all with silver ribbon buckles in a fitted glass-fronted display case, together with companion set of mounted miniature medals, the Crimea named, and a contemporary portrait on card in a damaged frame, medals good very fine (9) £1200-1500

Charles Armstrong was a son of James Armstrong, Esq., of the Bengal Civil Service, and a brother to James Wells Armstrong and Arthur Savory Armstrong. He entered the Army as an Ensign in the 10th Bengal Native Infantry on 22 July 1845, becoming Lieutenant in July 1849. He served in the Crimea as a local Captain with the Turkish Contingent, and was present as a Volunteer with the 49th Regiment at the attack on the Redan on 18 June 1855 (Medal with clasp, Turkish Medal). He served during the Indian Mutiny of 1857, and was attached to the 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade under Major-General Wyndham at Cawnpore, 26th to 29th November, 1857, and was severely wounded through both legs, the right leg amputated (Medal). Promoted Brevet Captain in July 1860, he served as second in command of the 14th Bengal Native Infantry during the Umbeyla campaign of 1863 (Medal with clasp). Armstrong received further promotion to Major in 1865, to Lieutenant-Colonel in 1871, to Colonel in 1876, and finally to Major-General in 1881. He died on 27 November 1894.