Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Ghuznee 1839 (H. A. Bruce, Esq., M.D., 35th Regt. N.I.) replacement straight bar suspension, minor contact marks, good very fine £800-1000

Henry Alexander Bruce was born in Chitwarrah, Tirhoot on 9 April 1808. Educated in Britain, he graduated M.D., L.R.C.S. at Edinburgh University in 1829. The following year he applied for the position of Assistant Surgeon with the H.E.I.C. and in 1831 joined the Bengal Medical establishment, being posted to the 38th Foot in 1832 and thence the Bengal European Regiment and 35th Native Infantry.

He was with the 35th N.I. when, in 1838, it joined the ‘Army of the Indus’, and was at the storming of Ghuznee in 1839 and at the battle of Bamian in 1840, whilst based at Cabul. Although still in Afghanistan during the latter half of 1841, he had parted company with the 35th N.I. and, instead of accompanying General Sale to Jellalabad, he remained at Cabul with Shah Shooja who was in the Bala Hissar.

He survived the insurrection at Cabut to join the Sirmoor Battalion in 1842 accompanying them, as Surgeon, at the battles of Aliwal and Sobraon in 1846. Six years with the 1st European Fusiliers followed, including service in Burma during 1852-53. In 1854 he became Medical Storekeeper at Cawnpore in 1854 and remained in that position until 1860 when he became Superintendent Surgeon at Sirhind, being promoted to Deputy Inspector General of Hospitals. During 1863-65 he was Inspector General of Hospitals in the North West Provinces. In 1866 he was promoted to Principal Inspector General of the Bengal Medical Establishment before retiring later the same year. He died at Burntisland, Fife on 8 May 1894.

Bruce may be regarded as being somewhat lucky, in that despite his postings he avoided the disastrous retreat from Cabul in 1842 and the Cawnpore Massacre in 1857. With copied research.