A FINE EARLY VICTORIAN ‘INDIA’ GROUP TO AN OFFICER OF THE 53RD FOOT, WHO AFTER TAKING PART IN THE BATTLES OF ALIWAL AND SOBRAON DURING THE SUTLEJ CAMPAIGN, SERVED IN BOTH THE PUNJAB CAMPAIGN AND THE INDIAN MUTINY, DURING THE LATTER COMMANDING A DETACHMENT OF HIS UNIT IN THE BUNGAON EXPEDITION TO DESTROY THE ONE-ARMED GENERAL GUJADAR SINGH'S CONTINGENT OF MUTINEERS, THIS UNIT WAS LARGELY MADE UP OF REGIMENTS DEEMED TO HAVE TAKEN PART IN THE CAWNPORE MASSACRE

SUTLEJ MEDAL 1845, ALIWAL REVERSE, CLASP SOBRAON ‘ENSIGN HENRY BUCK 53RD REGT.’; PUNJAB 1848-9, CLASP, GOOJERAT ‘LIEUT. H. BUCK, 53RD FOOT.’; INDIAN MUTINY 1857-59, CLASP, LUCKNOW ‘CAPT. HY. BUCK, 53RD REGT.’

“At Portsmouth, on the 21st ult., aged 36, Major Henry Buck, 53rd Regiment. The deceased officer joined the 53rd Regiment when embarking for India in 1844. He served in the Sutlej campaign of 1846, including the affair of Buddiwal, and actions of Aliwal and Sobraon, for which he received medal and clasp; also in the Punjaub campaign in 1849, including the battle of Goojerat; for this he received medal and clasp. He served against the Hill Tribes on the Peshawur frontier in 1851-52. His health failing in 1854, he returned to England in charge of invalids. The Russian War breaking out, he twice volunteered for the Crimea, declining the first appointment offered, as it would not ensure him seeing service in the field. On the first tidings reaching England of the Indian Mutiny, he received orders to join the Depot and proceed with a detachment to India. He was engaged in the Indian campaign of 1857-8-9, including the action of Khodagunge and entry into Futteghur. The storm and capture of Meangunge, the siege and capture of Lucknow, the affair of Kooisie, passage of the Goomtee, and occupation of Sultanpore, passage of the Gogra, at Fyzabad, Nov. 25th. The action of Toolsepore, and other affairs of minor importance. He commanded the Gouda Field Force at the attack and destruction of the Fort of Bungeon, for which affair he was very favourably mentioned in despatches. For these campaigns he received medal and clasp, also a Brevet Majority for distinguished conduct in the field. In 1860 the 53rd embarked for England, and his active career ended. The persevering energy of this officer in the discharge of all his duties, and of his distinguished gallantry in the field, is attested by his brother officers. His commissions are dated, Ensign, July 28, 1844; Lieutenant, Feb. 22, 1846; Captain, Sept. 29, 1857; Brevet-Major, July 20, 1858.”

Henry Buck was commissioned Ensign of the 53rd Foot on 28 July 1844. In August 1844 the 53rd Embarked for service in Bengal and landed in Calcutta in December. Proceeding to Cawnpore, in November 1845, the 53rd were and at Agra at the outbreak of the Sikh war, they proceeded to Dehli. Ordered to join the Army on the Sutlej in January 1846, the 53rd formed part of Sir Harry Smith’s detached force. Buck took part in the action of Baddowal, 21 January 1846 and the brilliant victory at Aliwal a week later. On 10 February 1846, Ensign Buck was present with his regiment at the great battle of Sobron, the decisive battle of the campaign. Here the 53rd lost 1 Officer and 8 other ranks killed, 8 Officers and 105 other ranks wounded…..

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Condition NVF and better, contact wear and EK’s to 1st, less so to 2nd and 3rd. Sold with copy Service papers and other research.