An Indian Mutiny C.B. group of four awarded to Colonel C. H. Barchard, 20th Bengal Native Infantry

The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge, 22 carat gold and enamels, hallmarked London 1858, complete with gold ribbon buckle, one or two very minor chips to wreath, otherwise near perfect condition; Punjab 1848-49, 2 clasps, Chilianwala, Goojerat (Ensign C. H. Barchard, 20th Bengal N.I.); India General Service 1854-94, 1 clasp, North West Frontier (Lieut. C. H. Barchard, 20th Native Inftry.); Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 2 clasps, Delhi, Lucknow (Major C. H. Barchard, 20th Regt. N.I. A.D.C.) nearly extremely fine (4) £2500-3000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals formed by the late Alan Wolfe.

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Charles Henry Barchard was born in London on 27 June 1828, and educated by the Rev. James Alexander Emerton, of Hanwell. He entered the Bengal Army in 1845 as an Ensign in the 20th Native Infantry, first seeing action in the Punjab campaign at the battles of Chilianwala and Goojerat. Promoted to Lieutenant in September 1849, he served in two expeditions on the North West Frontier; in the punitive expedition under Colonel S. B. Boileau against the Bori Afridis in November 1853; and in the expedition under Lieutenant-Colonel J. H. Craigie, C.B., against the Aka Khels and Bussi Khels, in March 1866 (mentioned in despatches).

During the Indian Mutiny he served as aide-de-camp to Sir Archdale Wilson, Bt., and was present at the actions on the Hindon, May 1857 (despatches); action of Budlee-ke-Serai, June 1857 (despatches); siege, assault and capture of Delhi, June to October 1857 (despatches); operations before and capture of Lucknow, February to March 1858 (despatches and thanks of Governor-General; medal with two clasps, C.B.); charger shot in action before Delhi; slightly wounded in action before La Martiniere, Lucknow; thanks of the Punjab Government for exertions and aid rendered during the famine at Kurnal in 1861.

The matter of Barchard’s charger being shot from under him at Delhi is moot. In his letters to his wife from the siege of Delhi, Colonel Keith Young says Barchard was accidentally wounded when his horse shied, causing a holster pistol to discharge, wounding Barchard in the leg, but perhaps this was a different incident. After the mutiny, Barchard was posted to the cavalry, serving in the early 1860s with the Stud Department, and thereafter with the 7th Bengal Cavalry, becoming second-in-command in 1874. He retired as Honorary Colonel in October 1875, and died in England in June 1902.