Candahar Ghuznee Cabul 1842, with three unofficial clasps to riband, Cabul, Ghuznee, Candahar (Edward King Elliot Lieut. 43rd. Regt. Bengl. Lt. Infy.) contemporary engraved naming in serif capitals, fitted with with original steel clip and replacement swivelling straight bar suspension, with period top pin brooch, very fine £700-£900

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals - The Property of a Gentleman.

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Edward King Elliot served as Interpreter and Quartermaster in the 43rd Bengal Native Infantry. His obituary, published in the Bombay Gazette on 10 April 1865, states:

‘Colonel Elliot
While announcing, with sincere regret, the death, at Nusseerabad, on the 27th instant, of Lieutenant-Colonel Edward King Elliot, of the Bengal Staff Corps, Agent to the Governor-General for the State of Rajpootana, we deem it best a duty to record our tribute to the memory of one in whose lamented demise the Government of India has lost a faithful servant.

The distinguished officer entered the army in 1829, and was posted to the late 43rd N.I. At the early age of nineteen he was appointed to the staff of his regiment, and served with it at the commencement of the Afghan war. He evinced talents and energy which soon attracted notice, and was nominated as Assistant to Sir Henry Rawlinson, in a political capacity, at Candahar.

On the conclusion of that memorable campaign Lieutenant Elliot was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Saugor, and served as such for many years under the late Sir William Sleeman, who regarded him as one of his most valuable officers. At the period referred to, the Saugor and Nerbudda Territories were much under officered; incessant and laborious duties consequently devolved upon the commission. Privilege leave was considered out of the question, and then it was that Colonel Elliot contracted that fatal disease to which half his life-time he has been a martyr, and to which after a wearyingly painful illness, borne with fortitude and christian patience, he has at length succumbed.

From Deputy Commissioner of Saugor, he rose successively to become Judicial Commissioner, Commissioner of Nagpore, and, upon the amalgamation of the Saugor and Nerbudda Territories, Chief Commissioner of the Central Provinces. During an incumbency of twenty years in these important appointments, it cannot be supposed that Colonel Elliot escaped the criticisms of the Press, but latterly many unfounded statements were made against him... The crowning fact of his promotion to the States of Rajpootana speaks volumes in his favour.

Colonel Elliot, after a life devoted to the service, has died a poor man. During his short sojourn in Rajpootana he, by kindness and consideration, has endeared himself to all with whom he was thrown in contact. They respected him as a public man, and could not but esteem him as a friend.’

The recipient’s son later became Lieutenant-General Sir Edward Locke Elliot. He fought in the Second Afghan War and later served in Burma, Egypt, and in South Africa during the Boer War.