Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Army of India 1799-1826, 1 clasp, Kirkee and Poona (H. McPhee, 65th Foot) short hyphen reverse, officially impressed naming, reverse of clasp carriage a little distorted, light contact marks and edge bruising, otherwise about very fine and very scarce £2500-3000

Just 17 clasps for Kirkee and Poona awarded to the 65th Foot and 67 clasps to other Europeans.

Hugh McPhee was born at Alpin, Argyllshire, in 1784, and enlisted into the 65th Regiment at Glasgow on 6 June 1800, aged 16. After a period of two years at the Cape, he arrived in India in May 1803 and was present at the unsuccessful siege of Bhurtpore in 1805 and several hard-fought actions in Guzerat. In 1810 he took part in the expedition to Mauritius which led to the capture of the island at the end of the year. He participated in the third Mahratta war of 1817, including the battles of Kirkee and Poona in November 1817. In 1819 and 1821 the 65th were engaged in two expeditions against the Joasma pirates in the Persian Gulf, the regiment returning to England the following year. McPhee, however, seemed keen to remain in India and, in June 1822, volunteered to transfer to the Veteran Company of the Hon. East India Company’s European Infantry. After a further three and a half years service he was finally discharged on 15 February 1826, ‘being worn out’ and ‘unfit for further service. Sold with copied discharge papers.