Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 3 clasps, Delhi, Relief of Lucknow, Lucknow (Farrier T, Powner. 1st. Bde. Bengal H.Art.) RoL clasp facing slightly worn, very fine £300-£400

Thomas Powner was born in the Parish of St. Luke’s, Islington, London, in 1821. He attested at Westminster for the Army of the Honourable East India Company on 30 September 1845, embarking for India aboard Royal Alice in March 1846. Having arrived safely, Powner was posted to 1st Troop, 1st Brigade, Bengal Horse Artillery - nicknamed ‘The Red Men’ by the Afghan population on account of the great red horsehair mane which hung from their brass mounted helmets.

Reformed at Meerut in February 1842 following defeat in the First Afghan War, the Bengal Horse Artillery were at Jullundur as part of the Sirhind Division at the start of the Mutiny. They were involved in the early operations in the Punjab from May to September 1857, the disarming of the mutineers at Jullundur, the Siege of Delhi, the actions at Nagafghur, Bulandshahr and Agra, the Second Relief of Lucknow, the Defence of Alambagh and the Second Battle of Cawnpore. Furthermore, the Bengal Horse Artillery assisted with the pursuit of the mutineers and action at Seri Ghat, the action at Shamshabad, the Siege of Lucknow, the action at Kursi, and the capture of the fort of Omeriah on 3 December 1858.

The roll of the officers and men of the 1st Troop, 1st Brigade, Bengal Horse Artillery, taken at Camp Nawabgunge on 7 October 1858, lists Powner as one of three Farriers entitled to the Medal with 3 clasps for the suppression of the Mutiny in India.

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