Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: General R. A. Doria, Madras Infantry

China 1842 (R. Doria, Lieut. Madras Sappers & Miners) fitted with contemporary replacement swivel suspension; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Major R. A. Doria, 28th Madras N.I.) the first with edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine, the second nearly extremely fine (2) £700-900

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

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Richard Andrew Doria was born on 7 December 1815, eldest son of Nicola D’Auria, Marquis of Spineto in the Kingdom of Naples, and Elizabeth Campbell, daughter of Richard Campbell of Craigie House, Ayrshire. Her sister later married Sir Thomas Munro, Governor of Madras, which was to be of great advantage to her nephew’s future military career. Doria was appointed Ensign on 24 February 1835, and in August of that year was posted to the 28th Madras N.I. In 1837 he was promoted Lieutenant and in 1841 he was detailed to the Madras Sappers and Miners, in charge of its detachment in Coorg. It was with that unit that he served in China, being present at the taking of Shanghai, the storming of Chengkiang-foo and subsequent operations, for which he received the China medal.

From 1845 until 1856, Doria was seconded to the Nizam of Hyderabad’s service, while remaining nominally on the roster of the 28th N.I. Doria was promoted Captain in September 1846 and in November 1858, he was promoted Major following extensive service during the mutiny, including operations in the Deccan and against the Rohilla insurgents. He commanded the Hingolee Field Force in the expedition against Mybad Khan in the Oodgheer District and against Bybad Singh and rebels in the Mahdeo Hills. He was also present at the capture and burning of the town of Rykerta in the Saugor and Nerbuda Territories.

Doria was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in February 1861 and to Colonel in February 1866, commanding successively the 35th and 5th N.I. He was promoted to Major-General in February 1877 and, in July 1881, was placed on the Unemployed Supernumerary List with the rank of Lieutenant-General, being promoted full General in December 1888. General Doria died at Ascot on 4 January 1892, aged 76.