A Victorian C.B. group of six awarded to Major-General J. B. Thelwall, 21st Punjabis, late 24th Foot

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge, 22 carat gold and enamel, hallmarked London 1870, complete with wide swivel ring suspension but lacking gold riband buckle; Punjab 1848-49, 2 clasps, Chilianwala, Goojerat, name erased; India General Service 1854-94, 1 clasp, North West Frontier (Captn. J. B. Thelwall 21st Punjab Inftry.); Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Brevet Major J. B. Thelwall. C.B. Comdg. 21st N.I. late 9th Punjab Infy.) naming engraved in upright capitals; Abyssinia 1867-68 (Major J. B. Thelwall C.B. 21st Bengal Punjab N.I.); Afghanistan 1878-80, 1 clasp, Peiwar Kotal (Col. J. B. Thelwall. C.B. 21st Bl. N.I.) mounted for display, enamel of upper obverse arm of C.B. chipped, contact marks, otherwise very fine or better (6) £2,600-£3,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Peter Duckers.

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Note: C.B. and Punjab medal added for display. Thelwall’s original Punjab medal is held by the South Wales Borderers Museum at Brecon.

John Bulkeley Thelwall was born at Efenechtyd, Denbigh, Wales, on 16 April 1826, son of the Rev. E. Thelwall, Vicar of Llanbedr, Denbighshire. He was first commissioned as Ensign in the 24th Foot on 4 August 1843, and promoted to Lieutenant on 3 April 1846. He served with the 24th Foot in the Punjab campaign of 1848-49, and was present at Sadoolapore, Chilianwala, and Goojerat, and was severely wounded by grape shot in the thigh at Chilianwala (Medal with two clasps). Promoted to Captain on 21 December 1849, he served with the 21st Punjab Native Infantry in the expedition against the Eusufzai Tribes on the Peshawur Frontier in 1858, being present in the actions at Chingli and Sittana; mentioned in despatches of Major-General Sir S. Cotton, K.C.B., commanding Eusufzai Expeditionary Force, published in G.O. of 17 June 1858 (Medal with clasp).

He served in the Oudh campaign of 1858-59, in command of the 21st Punjabis, and was present at the storm and capture of the Fort of Rampore Khassia on 3 November 1858; mentioned and brought to the notice of the Commander-in-Chief in the despatch of Brigadier Wetherall, C.B., who commanded the field force in South Oudh, published in G.O. of 31 December 1858; received special thanks of the Governor General, G.O. No. 552 of 1858, published in G.O.C.C. 31 December 1858 (Medal; promoted to rank of Brevet Major for service in Oudh campaign; received C.B. (Military).

The account of Thelwall’s part in the attack on Rampur Khassia is well written-up in the regimental history. It relates, among other things, how he picked off the defenders from one range of ramparts, one by one, when the attack was being held up, with loaded rifles being passed to him by his bearer; “he was an A1 shot”. To be awarded the C.B. for campaign service in the rank of Captain was a rare occurrence.

He was promoted Brevet Major on 26 April 1859, and appointed Commandant of the 21st Punjabis on 3 May 1863. He commanded the 21st Punjabis in the Jynteah Hills during the rebellion of 1862-63, and was present at the storm and capture of the stockades of Oomkoi, Oomk-rong, Nungbarai, and Surleeing; and was latterly in command of the force, owing to the wounding of the senior officer at the capture of Oomk-rong.

Thelwall commanded the 21st Punjabis throughout the Abyssinian campaign of 1866-67, largely based at Zouala and engaged in road-making and convoy escort duties (mentioned in despatches, medal). During the Second Afghan War of 1878-80, he served as Brigadier-General in command of the 2nd Brigade of the Kurram Field Force, which was under the immediate command of Lord Roberts, during the attack on the Peiwar Kotal, and afterwards commanded the troops based at Peiwar through the winter of 1878-79 (mentioned in despatches.

Thelwall returned home to England with ill-health at the conclusion of the first campaign. He seems to have fallen foul of Lord Roberts over the conduct of the 2nd Brigade during the attack on Peiwar Kotal. Roberts clearly thought that Thelwall, although once an excellent regimental officer, was no longer up to the mark as a commander. Although he was mentioned in despatches, he received no further rewards beyond the C.B. he had earned twenty years previously in the Indian Mutiny. He was promoted to Major-General on 1 June 1880 and retired the same day. Major-General John Thelwall, C.B., died in Venice on 12 October 1887, and is buried there.