medal code j3351

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ARMY OF INDIA MEDAL

ARMY OF INDIA 1799 TO A 1ST FOOT OFFICER WHO DURING THE CANADIAN REBELLION OF 1837 WAS MENTIONED IN DISPATCHES FOR HIS GALLANTRY AT THE BATTLES OF ST. EUSTACHE AND ST. BENOIT. SIX WEEKS PREVIOUS TO THIS, HE HAD TAKEN PART IN A DUEL AGAINST A PROMINENT PATRIOTE, WHICH AT THE TIME, CAUSED A SENSATION

ARMY OF INDIA 1799, CLASP AVA ‘LIEUT A. H. ORMSBY, 1ST FOOT’

Augustus Howard Ormsby was born circa 1800 and was Commissioned Ensign of the 1st (Royal) Regiment of Foot on 29 June 1824. Taking part in the Burma War of 1824 – 1826, with the 2nd Battalion, he was promoted Lieutenant on 22 March of the latter year. After a period in Scotland and Ireland, the ‘Royals’ embarked for Canada in 1836. On 31 October 1837, Lieutenant Ormsby took part in a duel that occurred, just days before the outbreak of the Canadian rebellion. At the time, the duel caused a sensation, due to one of the duelists being a British Officer, the other a prominent Patriote. Six weeks later, he mentioned in dispatches for his gallantry at the battles of St. Eustache and St. Benoit. Promoted Captain on 3 February 1843, he was placed on Half-Pay on 9 April 1847. In 1859, he was appointed Captain of Invalids at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham and died there on 30 May 1863.

Army List entry:

‘Captain A. H. Ormsby served in the Burmese war from Sept. 1824 to Jan. 1826, and was present at the siege and capture of Aracan, and in the Talack expedition. Mentioned in Col. Wetherall’s despatch for distinguished gallantry in action with the rebels at St. Eustache and St. Benoit, in Canada, 14th Dec. 1837.’

Condition, Reconstituted; broach marks to edge around 6-7 o’clock. ‘H’, ‘O’ and ‘Y’ weak, ‘RM’ pretty much erased. Obverse/reverse unaffected. A most interesting and rare medal but priced accordingly.

Code J3351         Price £ SOLD