Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Punjab Medal to General R. W. D. Leith, 106th Foot, who led a storming party and was dangerously wounded at the Capture of Mooltan

Punjab 1848-49, 1 clasp, Mooltan (Capt. R. W. D. Leith, 1st Eur. Fusiliers) good very fine £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Durham Light Infantry and associated units.

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Robert William Disney Leith was born at Glenkindie on 28 February 1819, the second son of General Sir Alexander Leith, K.C.B. of Freefield and Glenkindie and his wife, Maria, eldest daughter of Robert Disney Thorpe M.D. of Headingly, Leeds.

Commissioned an Ensign with the 1st Bombay European Fusiliers on 4 September 1837 and promoted Lieutenant on 10 January 1839 and Captain on 19 June 1845, he served with them in Karosk in the Persian Gulf from 1838 to 1841. He served as Adjutant to the regiment, March - August 1846. During the Second Sikh War he was present at the siege of Mooltan. Captain Leith led a storming party at the capture of city and was dangerously wounded in the process - receiving two sabre cuts to the left arm from separate assailants - both of whom he cut down - the severe wounds resulting in the amputation of his left arm; added to which he received a ball in the right shoulder and other sabre cuts to his right arm. Highly complimented for his distinguished gallantry and heroic sacrifice he was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 7 March 1849), received the Brevet of Major on 7 June 1859 and was appointed to the Staff of the Army in the Adjutant-General’s Department. Further promotions followed, being appointed Major on 3 November 1859 and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel on 28 November 1854.

During the Indian Mutiny he was appointed Adjutant-General of Division by Sir Henry Roberts. Promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 1 January 1862 and Brevet Colonel on 26 June 1860, he commanded the 106th Foot from June 1862 until May 1866 when he was placed on Half Pay. In 1865 he married Mary Charlotte Julia, daughter of Sir Henry Percy Gordon, F.R.S., 2nd Baronet of North Court, Isle of Wight.

Promoted to Major-General on 6 March 1868, he was created a C.B. on 2 June 1869. Promoted to Lieutenant-General on 1 October 1877, he was placed on Retired Pay with the rank of Honorary General on 1 July 1881. In his retirement he was appointed Colonel of the 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment in 1884 and was D.L. and J.P. for Aberdeenshire. The redoubtable General died at North Court, Isle of Wight on 20 June 1892.

Sold with copied research including a copied letter from his father to the C-in-C. Lord Somerset, dated 22 March 1849, regarding his son.