India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Burma 1885-7 (2nd Engr. David Shaw, I.F. Cos. Str. Ashley Eden) edge bruising and scratches on Queen’s neck, otherwise very fine and rare £300-350

Ex Douglas-Morris Collection, B.D.W. 16 October 1996.

The Irrawaddy Flotilla Company’s Steamer Ashley Eden (Captain J. Cooper) was selected by the Indian Government to deliver an ultimatum to King Thibaw in Mandalay in October 1885. Captain Cooper was ordered to deliver the ultimatum to the King himself, and to wait, with banked fires, not later than 5 November for an answer.

The Ashley Eden left Mandalay with the King’s response and on her way down river was fired on, although war had not yet been declared, by the various forts. She arrived in Rangoon on 9 November. As the answers were not satisfactory, war was declared on King Thibaw and the whole of the Company’s flotilla fleet was requisitioned by the Government for the expedition. During the war that followed the Company’s Steamers were used to carry 9,467 men, 77 guns and related stores.