Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Ghuznee 1839 (Lieut. J. Ruthven Pond, Adjutant H.C. 1st European Regt.) naming neatly engraved in running script in reverse field, fitted with contemporary silver bar suspension, ribbon bar inscribed ‘Guznee’, ribbon buckle and top suspension brooch, very fine and an attractive piece £600-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals formed by the late Alan Wolfe.

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Another medal named to this recipient was sold by Sotheby in December 1991.

James Ruthven Pond was born in Edinburgh on 28 March 1812, son of Samuel Pond, an Edinburgh merchant, and Elizabeth Sutherland. He was educated at Edinburgh High School and was appointed a Cadet in the East India Company’s service in the season of 1827. Ensign Pond arrived in India in late September 1828 and after brief service with the 51st, 24th and 67th Native Infantry regiments he transferred, in early June 1829, to the 2nd Bengal European Regiment.

Promoted to Lieutenant in May 1832, he was appointed Acting Adjutant of the regiment in June 1838. He served in the first Afghan War at Ghuznee in 1839 (Medal) and subsequently at the occupation of Cabul, Pashut and the capture of Kajja Fort in January 1840. He then served with the 1st Bengal European Regiment as part of the Army of Reserve for Afghanistan from October 1842 to January 1843. After promotion to Captain in November 1844, Pond saw action in the first Sikh War, at both Ferozeshuhur and Sobraon (Medal with clasp) as A.A.G. to General Sir Robert Dick’s division.

He was subsequently posted as D.A.A.G., Benares Division, in 1849 and served at Peshawar in 1852, and at Lahore in 1853-54. Pond saw action again in the second Burma War and was present at the capture of Pegu as a Brevet-Major with the 1st Bengal European Fusiliers (Medal with clasp). His rank was confirmed in December 1855 and he was promoted to Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel the following year. He died at Sydenham on 17 April 1857, while on furlough from India, only weeks before the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny.