Ghuznee 1839 (Gunner John Waters. Horse Brigade. Bombay Arty.) naming engraved in reverse centre and lower rim, fitted with original suspension, nearly extremely fine £600-700

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Bombay Artillery.

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Provenance: Bought Glendining 1963, ex Elson Collection.

John Waters was born in 1806, a native of Drogheda, County Louth. He enlisted at Dublin on 13 April 1825 for unlimited service. He embarked for India in the Lady Kennaway and arrived on 12 October 1825. Originally posted to the 2nd Battalion Bombay Artillery, he was transferred to 3rd Troop, Bombay Horse Artillery. He re-enlisted for 5 years on 13 April 1837, and served with the Troop in Afghanistan in 1839. He was transferred to the Foot Artillery in 1840 and was pensioned on 14 February 1841 and sent to Europe. He received his pension from Cork and died on 24 October 1866.

The 3rd Troop, Bombay Horse Artillery left Poonah on 18 September 1838, and embarked at Bombay for the Scinde, arriving there in December. They marched under Sir John Keane against passive opposition via Tatta, Kotree, Larkhana, Gundava, Dadur, and through the Bolan Pass to Quetta, arriving on 6 April 1839, where Keane assumed command of the Bengal-Bombay Force. The Bombay Column under Major-General Willshire was badly plundered on its way through the Kojak Pass but reached Candahar on 4 May. The whole force moved off on 27 June, the 3rd Troop now joined with the Shah’s Contingent. Provision were short and the force was placed on half rations.

On 21 July, the force arrived before Ghuznee and the artillery was employed in dislodging the enemy with shrapnel. Two days later Ghuznee was taken by storm, the Cabul gate being blown in. Artillery were used to sweep the ramparts at a range of 250 yards. 3 Troop had two men wounded in these operations. The force moved on 30 July and reached Cabul on 7 August when the Shah was restored to the throne. On 18 September the Bombay Column marched under Willshire for Ghuznee, and then using a more southerly route 85 miles shorter, for Quetta. Two guns of the Troop took part in the storming of Khelat on 18 November (Lieutenant H. Forster). The whole troop then returned via Sukkur to Kurrachee.

During the campaign the Troop, under the command of Captain J. H. M. Martin, took part in 177 marches, covering a total distance of 2194 miles.