Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Major Thomas Frobisher, 5th Bengal Volunteers and Bengal European Regiment, who served at the capture of the Cape of Good Hope in 1806, at the capture of Java in 1811, and in the Nepaul war of 1814-15

Military General Service 1793-1814, 1 clasp, Java (Thos. Frobisher, Lieut. 5th Batn. Bengal Volrs.); Army of India 1799-1826, 1 clasp, Nepaul (Lieut. T. Frobisher, Eurn. Regt.) short hyphen reverse, officially impressed naming, lightly polished, otherwise toned, good very fine and rare (2) £4,000-£5,000

This lot is to be sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Medals, the Property of a Lady.

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Thomas Frobisher was born in York on 5 February 1789, 3rd son of Nathanial Frobisher, bookseller, of Halifax, Yorkshire. Nominated a Cadet on the Bengal Establishment in 1804, he was present at the capture of the Cape of Good Hope in January 1806, under Sir David Baird. Appointed Ensign on 23 April 1806, he arrived in India on 13 May 1806, and was posted to the 26th Bengal Native Infantry. Promoted to Lieutenant, 14 March 1808, he was present with the 5th Battalion, Bengal Volunteers, at the capture of Java in 1811, and served there until 1814, when he departed for Nepaul as Lieutenant with the 8th Company of Pioneers, in the 3rd or Benares Division under Wood. He also took part in the Third Mahratta War and action with Pindaries on 14 December 1817, as Lieutenant 1/26th N.I.. He was 2nd in command 3rd Rohilla Cavalry, 1818-19, in 2/26th N.I. but served as Adjutant Ramgarh Battalion, 1820, and with the Nagpur Auxiliary Horse, 1821-30. Promoted to Captain in July 1823, he transferred to 51st N.I. (late 1/26th) in May 1824 and went on furlough from January 1831, until his retirement on 6 May 1833. Made Hon. Major, 28 November 1854, he was a J.P. and D.L. for Gloucestershire and died in Cheltenham on 8 January 1863.

Sold with comprehensive research conducted by Tim Ash at the India Office Library.

For the recipient’s related miniature awards, see the following lot, Lot 17.