Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Lieutenant-Colonel J. C. Dickson, 1st Sikh Infantry, late 33rd Bengal Native Infantry

Sutlej 1845-46, for Ferozeshuhur 1845, 1 clasp, Sobraon (Ensign J: C: Dickson 33rd. Regt. N:I:); Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Captn. I. C. Dickson, 1st. Sikh Infy.) good very fine (2) £800-£1,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from a Mutiny Collection.

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Provenance: George McIlroy Collection.

John Chadwick Dickson was born in India on 8 June 1817, the son of Lieutenant Job Dickson, 67th Foot, and was educated at Abbey School, Tipperary. He was commissioned Ensign on 7 April 1842, and arriving in India on 8 August of that year, he was posted to the 33rd Bengal Native Infantry, and saw action during the First Sikh War, being present at the actions of Ferozeshuhuh and Sobraon. Promoted Lieutenant on 11 May 1846, he served in the capacity of Commandant of Depot at Jullander and commanded all troops called from leave to serve with the expedition commanded by Generals Littler and Wheeler against Shaikh Namoodeen and joined that force on line march in 1846 (received thanks of Government).

Dickson volunteered to serve with 66th Goorkhas when on sick leave at Nynetal in 1857, and received the thanks of Captain Garsteen, then commanding a wing of the 66th Goorkhas, as per Regimental Orders of 24 June 1857. Promoted Captain on 1 July 1857, he volunteered from the Goorkhas to the Nynetal Infantry Volunteers and from there to the Nynetal Cavalry Volunteers, and served in the force under Captain Maxwell against the Rohilcund rebel force in the action of Huldwanee. He kept the pass at Kealeedgunge with a force of two guns and a small infantry detachment for a considerable time during Brigadier Causland’s absence from the Camaroon Division.

Dickson next volunteered his services (when en route to join his Regiment) to Colonel L. Strange, commanding at Landour, and took command of the force, then consisting of Europeans, Goorkhas, Sikh Cavalry and two guns, guarding the Ghauts at Hurdwar and Henekur whilst awaiting the arrival of General Jones. He then volunteered for service in the Rohilcund campaign and joined the 1st Sikh Infantry on 15 April 1858 - joining the force then marching against the Rohilcund rebels he was placed in command of a detachment consisting of two companies of the 1st Sikh Infantry, and performed skirmishing duty with this unit during the entire Rohilcund campaign, being present at the actions and recapture of the cities of Nuzeeraba, Bareilly and Bedewan, and the relief of Shahjehanpore. Finally, he saw service in the expedition against the remaining rebel forces in Nepal and on the frontier as part of Brigadier Holdwich’s Nepal Frontier Field Force, where he commanded a Wing of the Mynpooree Levy.

Dickson was promoted Major on 7 April 1868, and was advanced Lieutenant-Colonel on 7 April 1870. He died at Shillong on 16 May 1872.

Sold together with a photographic image of a portrait of the recipient; and a copy of the Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research, Autumn 1973, which contains an article on the recipient.