Auction Catalogue

25 February 1998

Starting at 1:00 PM

.

Orders, Decorations and Medals

The Arts Club  40 Dover St  London  W1S 4NP

Lot

№ 47

.

25 February 1998

Estimate: £3,000–£4,000

Army of India 1799-1826, 3 clasps, Allighur, Battle of Delhi, Laswarree (Lieut. M. Boyd, 2nd Bn. 15th N.I.) short hyphen reverse, impressed naming, very fine and rare £3000-4000

Approximately 143 medals were issued with three clasps, 15 with this combination. Only 57 clasps were issued for the Battle of Delhi.

Mossom Boyd was born in Londonderry in June 1781, probably son of Mossom Boyd, a Customs Officer of Letterkenny. By his first wife, Isabella, he had no less than five sons who attained the rank of General. He was approved as a Cadet on 27 July, 1796, and was posted to the 1st Bengal European Regiment. He served during the Second Mahratta War, as Lieutenant in the 2nd 15th Native Infantry, and was present at the battles of Allighur, Delhi and Laswarree (India Medal). Boyd accompanied the Expedition to Mauritius in 1810 as Captain, 1st battalion, Bengal Volunteers, and became acting Brigade Major in April 1812. He was present as a Major with the 25th Native Infantry during the Third Mahratta War but took part in no major engagements. He subsequently attained the rank of full General in April 1856 and died at his home in Bayswater, London, on 8 April, 1865.