The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection

A superb ‘Delhi’ C.B. group of four awarded to General H. F. Dunsford, Indian Army

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge, 22 carat gold and enamels, hallmarked London 1857, fitted with privately made wide swivel-ring bar suspension and gold ribbon buckle; Sutlej 1845-46, for Sobraon 1846 (Lieut. H: F: Dunsford 59th Regt. N:I:); Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Delhi (Lt. Col. H. F. Dunsford, C.B. Com. Jheend & Puttiala Fce.); India General Service 1854-94, 1 clasp, Bhootan (Brigr. Genl. H. F. Dunsford Comg. L. Colmn. D.F.F.) minor edge bruising, otherwise nearly extremely fine £3000-3500

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

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Henry Frederick Dunsford was born on 5 November 1817, son of Henry Dunsford, an Agent at Penryn, Cornwall. He was nominated to the Bengal Infantry in the season of 1834 and arrived at Fort William, Bengal, as an Ensign, on 28 July 1835. On 8 August he was attached to the 34th Native Infantry and on 6 November to the 24th N.I., at Midnapore. He was finally posted to the 59th N.I. on 28 June 1836, became a Lieutenant in October 1838, and qualified as an Interpreter in Native Languages in November 1839. He was then posted as an Interpreter to the 1st Cavalry in April 1840 and, shortly afterwards, he was appointed to the Station Staff at Muttra. In November 1840 he was appointed Adjutant, first to the 1st Battalion of Light Infantry and then to his own regiment, the 59th. The report he received from his commanding officer while he held this position was very favourable.

He served as Major of Brigade, 7th Brigade, 3rd Division, of the Army of Sutlej and was present at the battle of Sobraon, being favourably mentioned in the despatch of H.E. the Commander-in-Chief, dated 3 March 1846 (Medal, Brevet of Major). He was again appointed Major of Brigade in May 1849, this time at Bareilly, where he married in November 1849, Elizabeth, daughter of Brigadier-General Samuel Shaw. He was appointed aide-de-camp to Brigadier-General Shaw in June 1852, and in September 1856 he received the brevet rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.

On 18 July 1857, he was sent to Jusserlee to take command of the Jheend and Puttiala Rajah’s Forces, which he led at the assault and capture of Delhi, and was favourably mentioned in the despatch of Brigadier Longfield in his despatch of 17 September 1857. He was created a Companion of the Bath for his services at Delhi, 18 June 1858. Dunsford next commanded the Buxar Column of the Shahabad Field Force and led the attack on Burahpore on 14 October 1858, driving the rebels in force out of their strongly entrenched position and routing them with great slaughter. He defeated an attack by the rebels at Sikurreea on 16 October 1858, and in other skirmishes leading to the successful attack on the town of Jugdespore on 19 October when he was severely wounded.

Dunsford received the regimental rank of Major on 18 December 1860, while acting commandant of the 20th Punjab Infantry, and on the same date was appointed a Colonel in the Indian Army. He commanded the Jynteah Field Force in the expeditions of 1862-63 against rebel Jynteahs, at the capture of stockades of Rulleang and Munsow in 1862, and those of Oomkai, Rungbarai, and Surteung in 1863, and received the thanks and approval of H.E. the Commander-in-Chief, the Governor General, and the Rt. Hon. the Secretary of State for India. He commanded the Left Column of the Bhootan Dooar Field Force at the storm and capture of the Fort of Dalunkote and stockade of Channoorchie, in December 1864, for which he received the commendations of H.E. the Commander-in-Chief, the Rt. Hon. the Governor General in Council, and his services were brought to the favourable notice of Her Majesty’s Government by the Rt. Hon. the Secretary of State for India.

Dunsford was appointed Brigadier-General in the Peshawur division in November 1865, and was promoted to Major-General in February 1868. He retired to Europe in March 1872, was promoted to Lieutenant-General in December 1875 and to General in October 1877. General Dunsford died at St Helier, Jersey, on 31 January 1887.

Sold with detailed research including statement of services.