A fine Victorian C.B. group of four awarded to Major-General J. C. Stewart, 5th Punjab Cavalry, Hon. Colonel 7th (Hariana) Lancers

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge converted for neck wear, silver-gilt and enamels, hallmarked London 1890; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Ensn. J, C, Stewart, H,E,I,C, attd. to 38th Regt.); India General Service 1854-94, 3 clasps, Jowaki 1877-8, Burma 1885-87, Burma 1887-89 (Major J. C. Stewart. 5 Punjab Cavalry); Afghanistan 1878-80, 2 clasps, Charasia, Kabul (Major J. C. Stewart, 5th Punj: Cavy.) the first with minor enamel chips to centres, otherwise good very fine (4) £1,800-£2,200

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

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James Calder Stewart was born at Calcutta on 20 June 1840, son of Dr Duncan Stewart, H.E.I.C.S. He was educated at Clapham Grammar School under the Rev. C. Pritchard, and entered the Bengal Army as an Ensign on 4 September 1857; Lieutenant, 17 June 1858; Captain, 4 September 1869; Major, 4 September 1877; Lieutenant-Colonel, 2 March 1881; Colonel, 2 March 1885; Major-General, 29 October 1895.

Served through the Indian Mutiny, attached to the 38th Regiment, and was present in the action at Meeangung, siege and capture of Lucknow, actions of Barree and Nuggur (Medal with clasp). He served with the 5th Punjab Cavalry on the North West Frontier of India 1877-78, in the Jowaki Expedition (Medal with clasp). Stewart served in Afghanistan 1878-89 with the 5th Punjab Cavalry throughout the period it was employed in the war, taking part in the Khost Valley expedition, the action of Matun, the skirmish of Karatiga, the action of Charasia and Cavalry pursuit, and the operations round Kabul and defence of Sherpur in December 1879, including the Cavalry pursuit of 24 December. In the action of Matun, Major Stewart commanded an independent troop, and in a charge inflicted severe loss on the enemy. For his services he was twice mentioned in despatches and received the Brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel (Medal with two clasps). He afterwards served with the 7th Bengal Laancers in 1887-88 in operations against dacoits in the Ava, Chaungwa and Hyotha districts but returned at the end of November 1887, since it was found that joint operations between cavalry and infantry were impossible in the jungle areas concerned. In February and March 1888, the regiment began to re-concentrate at Mandalay. At the end of March the squadrons began to move to Rangoon and make their way back to India, arriving back at Allahabad by the end of April 1888.

Stewart was made a C.B. on 30 May 1891, and was appointed Honorary Colonel of the 7th Hariana Lancers on 13 May 1904, and of the 18th Cavalry upon amalgamation of the 7th with the 8th Cavalry in 1922. Major-General Stewart died in London on 1 July 1930, one of the last survivors of the Indian Mutiny and the last Mutiny survivor who had reached the rank of General.