A Collection of Indian Mutiny Medals, the Property of a Gentleman

Pair: Major-General T. P. Smith, Bengal Horse Artillery, later Royal Artillery

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (1st. Lieut. T. P. Smith, 1st. Bde. Bengl. H. Art.); Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (Lieut: Col: T. P. Smith. R.A.) good very fine (2) £700-£900

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Indian Mutiny Medals, the Property of a Gentleman.

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Thomas Parkyns Smith was born at Saharunpore on 28 December 1830 and was nominated for the Honourable East India Company’s service by Martin Smith and recommended by his uncle Lieutenant-Colonel D. Jones, Royal Artillery. Commissioned Second Lieutenant on 11 December 1849, he arrived in Calcutta on 31 May 1850 and was posted to the Bengal Foot Artillery, transferring to the Bengal Horse Artillery with the rank of Lieutenant on 15 October 1855. He served with the 2nd Troop, 1st Brigade, Bengal Horse Artillery during the Great Sepoy Mutiny, and was present at the siege and capture of Lucknow, the attack at Ruiya, the skirmishes at Sirsa and Allygunge, the capture of Bareilly, the action at Burnai, the capture of Mohamdee and the engagement at Shahabad. The medal roll is annotated: ‘Employed in the districts of Meerut and Bulundshur during the whole of the siege of Delhi. Constantly engaged with the enemy, the Malaghur Rajah and other leaders.’

Promoted Captain on 27 August 1858, Smith transferred to the Royal Artillery, and in March 1860 took part in the Court Martial of a Private from the 75th Regiment who had been accused of striking a superior officer. During the course of the proceedings the accused became grossly insolent and told the President and the members that they were ‘a damned set of ........... and bloody scoundrels’. The accused was duly sentenced to Penal Servitude.

Promoted Major on 5 July 1872, and Lieutenant-Colonel on 16 January 1875, Smith subsequently served in Southern Afghanistan during the second campaign of the war, where he commanded General Phayre’s Artillery Division and was present during the march from Quetta to Kandahar. For his services he was Mentioned in General Phayre’s Despatch (G.O. 24 December 1880): ‘My cordial thanks are due to Brigadier General Smith, Royal Horse Artillery, commanding the artillery, for the prompt and able support he has at all times rendered.’

Smith was promoted to his ultimate rank of Major General on 25 May 1886, and retired on 13 September 1889. He died at home in Bournemouth, Hampshire, on 21 March 1903. His obituary notice in the Western Gazette notes that he ‘had seen considerable active service, particularly in India, and on one occasion was with Lord Roberts continuously in the saddle for 40 hours.’

Sold with a photographic image of the recipient and copied research.