A SUPERB ARMY OF INDIA, CLASP AVA TO AN OFFICER IN THE LIGHT COMPANY OF THE 89TH FOOT WHO WAS DREADFULLY WOUNDED AT THE STORMING OF RAREE IN 1819 DURING THE MAHRATTA CAMPAIGN, LOOSING HIS RIGHT EYE, AND A PORTION OF THE NOSE AND JAW-BONE. DESPITE THIS, HE WENT ON TO SERVE IN THE BURMESE WAR OF 1824 WHEN HE WAS AGAIN SEVERELY WOUNDED AT THE STORMING THE DALLA STOCKADES. FOR HIS SERVICE HE WAS LATER MADE A MILITARY KNIGHT OF WINDSOR

ARMY OF INDIA, CLASP AVA ‘LIEUT A. DOWDALL, 89TH FOOT’.

Major Aylmer Dowdall was born in County Monaghan, Ireland and was commissioned Ensign in the 89th Foot on 20 May 1813. Promoted Lieutenant 2 March 1817, he took part in Mahratta campaign of 1818-19, leading the Light company of his regiment in a number of actions. He was also Mentioned in Dispatches for the storming of Raree (also spelt Rairee) during which he was dreadfully wounded, loosing his right eye and a portion of his nose and jaw bone:

“On this occasion I have to regret the loss of the brave officers and men killed and wounded, although infinitely less than could have been expected on such a service. Amongst the latter are Lieuts. Naylor and Dowdall, of H. M. 89th regt. two fine gallant young men, that promised fair to be an ornament to their profession. Although both are severely wounded, yet I trust and hope the army will not be deprived of their further services”.

During the action, the British attackers suffered 33 killed and wounded, 8 of whom were from the 89th Foot. Presumably after a long recuperation, Lieutenant Dowdall further took part in the Burmese War of 1824 and was again severely wounded at the storming of Dalla stockade, 9 December 1824. During the action, the British attackers suffered 48 killed and wounded, 29 of whom were from the 89th Foot.

Promoted Captain 2 May 1829 and exchanged into the 54th Foot in August 1832, he retired from the Army of Full Pay, 30 October 1840.

Army List entry: “Major Dowdall served the Mahratta campaigns of 1818 and 19, including the taking of Loghur, Isapoor, Kooaree, Rhygur, Raree, besides several other small forts, and he was severely wounded at the storming of Raree, having sustained the total loss of the right eye, and a portion of the nose and jaw-bone. Served also in the Burmese war under Sir Archibald Camp bell, and was severely wounded in storming the Dalla stockades near Rangoon on the 9th Dec. 1824. Captain Dowdall commanded and led the Light Company of the 89th Regt. to five different storms.”

Major Dowdall, who was on retired full pay, 54th Foot, and appointed a Military Knight of Windsor in 1865, died on April 10, at Windsor Castle, aged 78.

Dowdall’s obituary from an Irish newspaper: “DEATH OF A DISTINGUISHED VETERAN – Major Aylmer Dowdall a Military Knight of Windsor, died at Windsor Castle on the morning of the 10th inst, aged 74. This distinguished Officer entered the army in 1813 and served with the 89th regiment during the Mahratta and Burmese wars of 1824 and 1825. When mounting the Fort of Rangoon in command of his troops, he sustained the total loss of his right eye for which he received a pension of £100 a year. Major Dowdall was uncle of Mrs Byrne of Lisnawilly, and great grandson of Sir Andrew Aylmer, Baronet of Balrath Castle, Co. Meath. He was the descendant of an ancient Louth family, many of whom sat in the old Irish Parliament and was thew first Roman Catholic to obtain the Military Knightship of Windsor”.

Condition NEF, lovely patina and original ribbon. Sold with some copied research on CD but clearly needs a good deal research into the other actions it is mentioned he took part in. A really fine medal.