Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Army of India 1799-1826, 1 clasp, Poona (Lieut. J. Worthy, 9th N.I.) short hyphen reverse, officially impressed naming, edge bruises, otherwise good very fine £3,000-£4,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Napoleonic-Era Campaign Medals.

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John Worthy was born in Brighthelmstone (the ancient name for Brighton) in the county of Sussex on 14 April 1793. He was educated at the Merchant Taylors School and was nominated as a Cadet for the Bombay Infantry in the season of 1809. Gazetted Ensign in the 9th Native Infantry on 14 July 1810, he was admitted on the Establishment in September 1810. He was promoted to Lieutenant in the 9th N.I. on 26 November 1815, and received his share of the Deccan Prize for the capture of Poona and General Captures in November 1817. He was promoted to Captain in the 18th N.I. in May 1824, and was honourably mentioned in General Orders of 16 January 1836: ‘On his return from a tour in the Southern Mahratta Country the Comr. in Chief observes that he “cannot speak in terms of too much praise of the 18th N.I. under Captn. Worthy at Kulladghee.

The regt. is composed of a fine body of men, their soldierlike appearance under arms was remarkable. Their movements in the field were done with celerity and correctness. Their marching in line, in column, & echelon was such as to call forth the expression of his unqualified approbation.”

Worthy was promoted to Major in June 1838 and retired from the service in December of the same year. Sold with copied cadet papers and record of service.