Orders, Decorations and Medals Including five Special Collections

Meeanee Hyderabad 1843 (Ensign Herbert Bowden, 22nd Regt.) fitted with contemporary replacement silver clip and small gold ring suspension, edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine £600-800

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

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Herbert George Bowden was born in Guernsey on 15 August 1820, son of Paymaster W. C. Bowden, late of the 2nd Regiment, who served in the Peninsula and at Walcheren. He was appointed Ensign in the 22nd Regiment on 30 April 1841, and ‘served through the whole of the Campaign in upper and lower Scinde under Major General Sir C. Napier, K.C.B., in the year 1843. As Ensign was present at the Battles of Meeanee and Hyderabad on the 17th of February and 24th of March, on both of which occasions Carried the Colours of the Regiment. Was wounded at the Battle of Meeanee on the 17th of February in the right breast. Served in the Southern Maharatta Country in 1844 and 1845, was present during the investment and capture of Forts Punella and Pownghur on 1st December 1844.’

Bowden became Lieutenant, by Purchase, on 30 May 1843, and received three months pay as a gratuity for his wounds received at Meeanee. He was promoted to Captain on 22 January 1853, became Major on 5 May 1858, and retired on the same date. He was subsequently Adjutant of the 1st Dumfries Rifle Volunteers, from January 1862 until September 1881. Major Bowden died sometime between November 1889 and December 1890.

Bowden’s own account of the battle of Meeanee is fully recounted in comprehensive extracts from his journal which were published in the regimental magazine, copies from which accompany the medal.

Note: This medal was purchased some 25 years ago from Messrs. J. B. Hayward & Son, and is correctly named in the style for this regiment. The Cheshire Regimental Museum hold another medal to this recipient, engraved ‘Ensign H. G. Bowden, 22nd Regt.’