A fine Victorian C.B. group of five awarded to Major-General T. W. W. Pierce, Indian Army

The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge, gold and enamel, hallmarks for London 1869, complete with gold swivel-ring and straight-bar suspension and riband buckle; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Central India (Lieut., 10th Bombay N.I.), first initial corrected; China 1857-60, 1 clasp, Pekin 1860 (Captain, 10th Regt. N.I.), re-engraved naming; Abyssinia 1867 (Major, 10th Regt. Bomb. N.I.); Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (Col., 16th Bo. N.I.), enamel wreaths on the first chipped, edge bruising and contact wear, otherwise generally very fine or better (5) £1800-2200

C.B. London Gazette 21 June 1887.

Thomas William West Pierce was appointed an Ensign in December 1846 and was advanced to Lieutenant in the 10th Bombay Native Infantry in October 1850. He was subsequently extensively engaged in the Indian Mutiny:

‘Was at the siege and capture of Kotah in 1858. Served with Brigadier Smith’s Brigade throughout its operations in Central India in 1858 and 1859, including the re-occupation of the fort of Chendaree, battle of Kotah-ke-Serai near Gwalior, storming and capture of the various heights before Gwalior and the general action resulting in the capture of the city and fortress of Gwalior; siege and capture of the fort of Powree, and the subsequent pursuit of the rebels by the flying column under Colonel Robertson; surprise and pursuit of the rebels under Maun Sing at Koondrye on 14 November 1858’ (Hart’s refers).

Advanced to Captain in January 1860, Pierce was next actively employed in the Second China War in 1860, when he was attached to the Horse Transport Service and at onetime commanded the Depot Military Train at Tientsin, services that, according to his entry in Hart’s, won him a no clasp Medal.

Still employed in the 10th Bombay Native Infantry, and having been advanced to Major, Pierce was next engaged in the Abyssinia campaign. Present at the ‘landing in Annesley Bay in October 1867 with the Advance Brigade under Colonel Field’, he was subsequently ‘employed in making roads from Koomaylie to Antalo; and present at the assault and capture of Magdala (mentioned in despatches and Medal).’

Further advancement followed, Pierce being given the Brevet of Colonel in February 1877 and appointed to the command of the 16th Bombay Native Infantry for the duration of the Second Afghan War. During this latter conflict, according to Shadbolt, he ‘commanded the regiment throughout and at the action of Kach. Commanded the Quat Mundai F.F. from 1 December till 8 March 1881, when it was broken up. Commanded at Sibi from 9 March till 4 May 1881 (Mentioned in Orders and received commendation of Government of Bombay and Governor-General in Council).’

Shadbolt describes the action at Kach thus:

‘The Headquarters and left wing of the regiment, under Colonel Pierce, with Lieutenant-Colonel Davis and Lieutenant Seymour, were attacked on 16 August 1880, while encamped at Kach in the open, by a body of 2000 Kakar Pathans. After over three hours’ hard fighting, the enemy was driven off with considerable loss. The strength of the 16th Native Infantry present was 314 of all ranks, besides whom there were 150 sick, of various regiments, also encamped in the open.’

Latterly a member of the Bombay Staff Corps, Pierce was advanced to Major-General and appointed a C.B. in 1887.