Orders, Decorations and Medals

Pair: Captain W. E. F. Barnes, 3rd Light Dragoons

Sutlej 1845-46, for Moodkee 1845, 2 clasps, Ferozeshuhur, Sobraon (Capt. W: E: F: Barnes 3rd Lt. Dragns.); Punjab 1848-49, 2 clasps, Chilianwala, Goojerat (Capt. W. E. F. Barnes, 3rd Lt. Dragns.) the two medals contained in a contemporary fitted leather case, the silk lining printed with battle honours, extremely fine (2) £3000-3500

Maximum medal and clasp entitlement to the 3rd Light Dragoons for the Sikh wars.

William English FitzEdward Barnes, the son of the Peninsula and Waterloo General, Sir Edward Barnes, G.C.B., was born in Dominica on 10 April 1810. He was first commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the Ceylon Rifle Regiment on 19 November 1829, but transferred as Ensign to the 26th Foot in February 1831, becoming Lieutenant in July 1835. In June 1837 he exchanged into the 3rd Light Dragoons, becoming a Captain in that regiment in May 1845.

Captain Barnes served with the 3rd Light Dragoons in the campaign on the Sutlej in 1845-46 and was present at the battles of Moodkee, Ferozeshuhur and Sobraon (Medal and two clasps). He also served in the Punjab campaign of 1848-49 and was present at the affair of Rumnuggur, action of Sadoolapore, and battles of Chilianwala and Goojerat (Medal and two clasps).

Captain Barnes retired by sale of his commission on 12 January 1854, and went into business as an importer of Continental wines and liqueurs. He died in Bournemouth on 20 October 1881.