Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine pair to Major J. Ferris, C.B., who raised and commanded Ferris's Jazailchis.

CABUL 1842, unnamed as issued, with original steel clip and bar suspender; PUNJAB 1848-9, no clasp (Major, C.B., Commng. 2nd Regt. Sikh Local), good very fine (2)

Major James Ferris was posted as Ensign to the 20th N.I. in July, 1825. He raised a corps of Jazailchis, so named after the Jazail Matchlock with which they were armed, and commanded them during the Afghan war, winning high distinction under the designation of 'Ferris's Jazailehis'. He was present at the forcing of the Khyber Pass and the reduction of Ali Musjid in July, 1839. In February, 1841 he led the Jazailchis throughout the operations against the Sangu Khel Shinwaris, at the defence of Gandamak, and with General Pollock's force at the actions of Tezin and Haftkotal, and the reoccupation of Kabul (medal). He commanded the Bundelkhand Military Police from September, 1843, until its disbandment in August, 1847, and the 2nd (or Hill) Regiment of Sikh Local Infantry from January, 1848, until his death in 1853. During the second Sikh War, 1848- 49, he was actively employed against the insurgents under Ram Singh at Jullunde Doab and at Dinanagar (medal). Major Ferris was awarded the C.B. in December, 1842, and the Order of the Durani Empire, 3rd class, in April, 1843.