The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection

Pair: Lieutenant-General S. D. Riley, Indian Army

Army of India 1799-1826, 1 clasp, Nepaul (Lieut. S. D. Riley, 6th N.I.) short hyphen reverse, officially engraved naming; Maharajpoor Star 1843 (Brigadr. S. D. Riley, Lieutt. Col. Comdg. 6th Brigade 3d Divn. Army of Gwoliors (sic)) replacement hook fitting and straight bar suspension, mounted for wear, some contact marks, very fine (2)
£2500-3000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection.

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Stephen Davis Riley was born on 9 November 1787 and baptised at St. James’s, Westminster on 11 November 1787. After being nominated as a Cadet for the East India Company’s Bengal Army, he was appointed an Ensign on 1 January 1804. Riley arrived in India in September 1805 and was admitted to the service in November 1805. On 2 July 1806 he was appointed a Lieutenant in the 6th Bengal Native Infantry. Served as Interpreter and Quartermaster of the 1/6th Native Infantry, 1814-22. With the 1/6th N.I. in the Nepaul War 1814-15. Served in the Third Mahratta War as Lieutenant and Brigade Quartermaster of the 7th Infantry Brigade, 4th Division, for which he had a share in the Deccan Prize Money.

Promoted to Captain in August 1822 and Major in July 1832. Commanded the 3rd N.I. (late 1/6th N.I.) in the Shekawat Expedition, 1834. In April 1839 he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel. In October 1843 he was in command of the 6th Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division in the Army of Exercise with the rank of Brigadier. Served in the Gwalior Campaign. He was mentioned in Sir Hugh Gough’s despatch (London Gazette 8 March 1844) ‘thanks due to Brigadier Riley and that portion of the 6th Brigade of Infantry which formed the rearguard for the manner in which he protected and brought forward the immense train of stores, provisions and baggage which accompanied the army over so great an extent of the enemy’s country.’ Advanced to Colonel in April 1849; remaining Colonel of the 47th N.I./7th N.I. from 1849 until his death. Promoted to Major-General in November 1854 and to Lieutenant-General in October 1862. Lieutenant-General Riley died at Kidderpore, Calcutta on 29 May 1867.

With copied research. A note with the lot states he was wounded in Nepaul 1814-15.