Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Punniar Star 1843 (Private M. O’Connell H.M. 9th or Queens Royal Lancers) fitted with contemporary replacement silver bar suspension, good very fine £500-£700

Martin Connell/O’Connell was born in the Parish of Stradbally, Queen’s County, and attested for the 9th Lancers at Dublin on 15 February 1853, aged 22, a labourer by trade. He served a total of 23 years 170 days, of which 14 years were abroad in Bengal, East Indies. ‘He served in the Gwalior Campaign in 1843-4 and was present at the battle of Punniar on the 29th December 1843; also in the Sutlej Campaign in 1845-6 and was present at the battle of Sobraon, 10 February 1846, and in the Punjab Campaign in 1848-9 and was present at the passage of the Chenab 4th December 1848, and at the battles of Chilianwala 13 January 1849, and Goojerat 21 February 1849.’ Martin Connell was discharged at Umballa on 7 October 1856, and received his final discharge at Horse Guards on 18 August 1857, being ‘unfit to perform the active duties of a dragoon.’

Sold with copied discharge papers.