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Auction: 4020 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 91

A Fine Indian Mutiny 'Cavalry' C.B. Group of Three to Lieutenant Colonel T. Hicks, Bombay Artillery, ommanded Artillery Central India Field Force in the Operations Before Gwalior, and Led the Charge of the 8th Hussars at Kotah ke Serai, in which the Rani of Jhansi was killed Order of the Bath, Companion's breast Badge (C.B.), Military Division, 18ct. gold and enamel (Hallmarks for 1858, maker's mark WN), with its gold riband buckle; Punjab 1848-49, one clasp, Mooltan (Captn. Thos. Wm. Hicks, Field Comy. of Ord.); Indian Mutiny 1857-58, one clasp, Central India (Lt. Col. Thos. Wm. Hicks, Bombay Arty.), nearly extremely fine (3) Estimate £ 3,500-4,000 Lieutenant Colonel Thomas William Hicks C.B., (1808-1892), Second Lieutenant, Bombay Artillery, 1825; Adjutant and Quartermaster Artillery Northern Division, 1835; Ordnance 1846-58 (Mentioned in Despatches 7.3.1849); advanced to Lieutenant Colonel 1857; served in the Indian Mutiny as Officer Commanding Artillery Central India Field Force, Kotah-ke-Serai, specially mentioned in Brigadier M. Smith's despatches (London Gazette 18.4.1859), 'Before Gwalior Heights, Capture of Gwalior. Lieutenant Colonel Hicks, commanding details, who was most energetic and always in the front; both in reconnoitering and in the charge, and it was at his suggestion that I ordered the charge of the squadron of the 8th Hussars through the enemy's camp, which, although venturous, succeeded well with the enemy we had to deal with', the charge itself (17.6.1859) was part of the struggle for the Gwalior heights, taking place near the gorge of the pass leading to the Phool Bagh plain where the rebellious forces had gathered in numbers - a force of cavalry threatening the British guns. A squadron of 8th Hussars led by Lieutenant Colonel Hicks and Captain Heneage, surged forward into the enemy ranks, inflicting heavy casualties, capturing two field pieces and advancing so far into the Cantonment itself that they overran bungalows and camp equipment, threatening the extremities of the fort itself. In danger of advancing too far without support, the cavalry force, exhausted from its gallant charge, retreated in time to join forces with the 1st Lancers and thus with a show of formidable strength dissuade the regrouping enemy forces from a counter attack. After the charge it came to light that a Hussar had killed the Rani of Jhansi, who had been disguised as a man. (Mentioned in Despatches 5.10.1859, C.B. 21.3.1859.)

Sold for
£4,600