Full medal write up
INDIA GENERAL SERVICE 1854, CLASP PEGU ‘ADJT ROBT DORAN. (LIEUT.) 18TH RL IRISH REG.’
“He fell at the head of his men, cheering them on to the attack; his own daring spirit leading him to seek to be the first to plant is country’s colours on the enemy’s walls. He was pierced by seven bullets and died after lingering for an hour. The night before his death this gallant officer had written in pencil, under a wagon, a note to his wife., stating that he had just prayed to God to be spared for her sake.”
Robert Doran, the son of Major John Doran, late 18th Royal Irish Regiment, of Ely House, County Wexford, Ireland, was born on 18 June 1827. He was commissioned Ensign into his father’s old regiment on 26 January 1844 and was advanced to Lieutenant on 6 August 1847. Doran was later appointed Adjutant of the battalion and embarked with the regiment for India in November that year. Though understood that the Royal Irish would be ordered home shortly, in early 1852 the regiment found itself hurried off to take part in the Burma campaign in early 1852. Adjutant Doran was one of the storming party when British and Indian regiments stormed the Great Pagoda (Shwedagon) in Rangoon, Burma on 14 April 1852 and was of the four British killed in the attack; 42 of the regiment were wounded. According eye witness reports Doran was shot either 7 or 4 times as he entered the Pagoda's compound and attempted to ascend the temple's steps. He was initially buried at the north eastern corner of Shwedagon Pagoda platform…….
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The Following original item, documents and sketches sold with the medal. The sketches, which are in different hands, were likely sent back to Doran’s family after his death to show where he was killed and where he was buried. Lieutenant G. A Craster, Bengal Engineers, who signed one sketch, took part in the Pegu campaign.
1) Doran’s Commission document or the rank of Ensign, in the 18Th Regiment of Foot, dated 2 January 1844
2) A small card calling card with two fine and ornate silver shirt studs, that Lieutenant Doran was wearing when he was killed. Under them, in ink is written ‘Uncle Robert Doran’s studs when killed on steps of Pagoda Burmah 14th June 1852’
3) A very fine and detailed Sketch of the Pagoda, titled ‘The Spot Where Doran Fell’ signed G. A. C. Bengal Engineers, was by Lieutenant G. A Craster
4) A sketch that shows a memorial, with two artillery pieces either side, titled ‘The Spot Where Doran Sleeps’, unsigned.
5) Another sketch, in a different hand, that shows a memorial from a slightly different andgle, artillery piece in view and a soldier guarding. The signed ‘Bob Hashey’ (surname hard to make out)
6) A sketched map of the Pagoda, titled ‘a Marks the Spot Where Poor Doran is Buried’, unsigned
7) Two finely executed sketches of what appear to be Officer living quarters, possible Doran’s
8) A Cabinet Card image of Doran’s grave. This likely taken a decade or so later, possibly during the 1880’s campaigns.
Variously 5 or 6 Officers killed during the campaign of 1852-3, Lieutenant Doran of the 18th and Armstrong of the 51st Foot being the Officers of British Regiments.
Condition EF, with a lovely patina. Queen’s head still retaining much of its frosted finish. Sold with copy research (digital). This group fresh to the market, it appears direct from the family.