Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Captn. I. H. S. Pierce, 24th. Bombay N.I.) with contemporary top silver riband bar, minor edge nicks, polished, good very fine £240-£280

Joseph Hume Spry Pierce was born in Shirehampton, Gloucestershire, on 13 February 1829, the son of Colonel F. H. Pierce, Bombay Artillery, and was commissioned Ensign on 14 June 1845. He arrived in Bombay on 21 August 1845, and was posted to the 24th Bombay Native Infantry on 24 December of that year. He was promoted Lieutenant on 7 December 1849, and Captain on 12 September 1857. He served with Colonel Scudamore’s Flying Column and with Captain Meade’s Field Detachment in Central India during the Great Sepoy Mutiny, and was present at the capture of Tantia Topee.

Pierce was appointed a Wing Officer on 1 January 1864, and was promoted Major on 14 June 1865. He transferred to the Bombay Staff Corps on 12 September 1866, was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 14 June 1871, and was granted the Brevet of Colonel on 14 June 1876. He retired as an Honorary Major-General on 30 September 1877, and died at St. Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex, on 9 February 1915.