Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Army of India Medal awarded to Corporal N. Sydenham, 41st Regiment of Foot, who served in America for two years, and received four bayonet wounds when one of a ‘Forlorn Hope’ at Fort Eyrie and was the only survivor out of 10 men sent out on this occasion

Army of India 1799-1826, 1 clasp, Ava (Nathl. Sydenham. 41st. Foot.) short hyphen reverse, officially impressed naming, good very fine £3,000-£4,000

Hamilton-Smith Collection, Glendining’s, November 1927; Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Godfrey Dalrymple-White Collection, Glendining’s, July 1946; Ambrose Elson Collection, Glendining’s, September 1963; Dix Noonan Webb, March 2008.

Nathaniel Sydenham was born at Honiton, Devon, and was a tailor prior to his joining the 41st Regiment Foot at Chelmsford on 13 June 1811, aged 19. According to his discharge papers he served ‘In America for two years, received four bayonet wounds when one of a forlorn hope at “Fort Eyrie” and was the only survivor out of 10 men sent out on this occasion. In France for five months and 8 days. In the East Indies for fifteen years one hundred and forty six days and was present during the whole of the Burmese War.’ He was twice promoted to Corporal, October 1823 to September 1824, and May 1830 to September 1832, but was discharged in the rank of Private on 25 July 1838, ‘worn out by Service, frequent attacks of fever with abstinate neuralgic affections of the muscles of the loins and lower extremities’.

Sydenham did not claim a Military General Service Medal for Fort Detroit to which he was surely entitled.

Sold with copied discharge papers.