Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Major J. Ling, 14th Light Dragoons, who took part in the ill-fated charge of the regiment at Ramnagur, 22 November 1848, and served as Commandant of the 7th Albanian Cavalry, 1855-56

Punjab 1848-49, 2 clasps, Chilianwala, Goojerat (Lieut. J. Ling, 14th Lt. Dragns) with additional silver retaining hook added to central post for mounting purposes, silver riband plaque inscribed ‘Charge 14th. Lt. Dgns Ramnuggar 1848’, and silver top riband buckle; Ottoman Empire, Order of the Medjidieh, Fourth Class breast badge, 75mm including star and crescent suspension x 57mm, silver, gold appliqué, and enamel, unmarked, with top silver riband buckle by Hunt & Roskill complete with gold retaining pin, and additional retaining hook to reverse, severe edge bruise to first, central medallion slightly depressed on latter, minor red enamel damage to suspension, generally very fine (2) £800-1200

John Theodore Ling was commissioned Ensign in April 1846, and advanced to Lieutenant in April of the following year. He served with the 14th Light Dragoons during the Punjab Campaign 1848-49, and charged with the Regiment at Ramnagur. He was present at the battles of Chillianwala and Goojerat, the crossing of the Chenab, the Jhelum, and the Indus, the surrender of the Sikh Army at Rawul Pindee, and the pursuit of the Afghans to Peshawar.

The Charge at Ramnagur

By mid October 1848, the Sikh leader, Shere Singh, had effected a junction with other rebels from Bannu and elsewhere, and had concentrated his forces at Ramnagar on the south side of the River Chenab, fifty-five miles northwest of Lahore. In response, the Army of the Punjab under Hugh Gough, was in full march from Ferozepore, and at its the advance Shere Singh started to pull his forces back to the north side of the Chenab. On 21 November, Gough sent one of his two cavalry brigades, comprising the 3rd and 14th Light Dragoons and the 5th and 8th Bengal Light Cavalry, forward to make a reconnaissance in force and discover if there was a chance of cutting off any substantial body of the enemy left on the south bank. The Chenab at Ramnagar was very wide but mainly dry with a sandy and treacherous bottom, the actual channel being quite narrow. At one point in the river bed there was a patch of greenery which formed a sort of island held by approximately 3,000 Sikhs and a six gun battery. Both banks were high and the ground leading to the south bank was intersected by a number of dry nullahs occupied by Sikh sharpshooters. The Sikhs had massed their artillery on the north bank with only the muzzles showing.

Contact with the enemy was made early on the morning of the 22nd. The 3rd Light Dragoons were ordered to charge a body of Sikh horse which had crossed the river, and succeeded in driving them back. The charge brought the leading British troops within range of the Sikh guns, causing the 3rd L.D. to retire, but during this manoeuvre one gun and two limbers belonging to the supporting Horse Artillery became stuck in the river bed and had to be abandoned in the face of a heavy fire.

Jubilant, the Sikhs began swarming across the river to take possession of these trophies. Gough, who had come up with the intention of returning to his camp for breakfast, was alarmed to find the reconnaissance turning into a cavalry action. After hearing of the loss of the gun he rode forward to locate Brigadier Cureton, the colourful commander of the reconnaissance. Gough found Cureton at the front of the 14th Light Dragoons and having just given Ling’s Commanding Officer, Colonel Will Havelock, orders to charge a large body of Ghorchurras (elite Sikh irregular cavalry) which had crossed the river on the British right. This the 14th successfully did, but unfortunately Havelock, an impetuous officer who found total release in battle, then saw another body of Sikhs and decided to charge them also. Seeing Havelock forming his men for a second charge, Cureton, realising the suicidal nature of the attack, galloped forward to stop them. He was however shot and killed by a Sikh concealed in a nullah before he could reach Havelock.

Gough looked on in fascinated horror, and sent another officer, Major Tucker, to arrest the progress of the 14th Light Dragoons. But Havelock was too far ahead. The regiment plunged over the steep river bank and into the teeth of the enemy’s artillery fire from the green island and the north bank. The Sikhs stood firm on the island and a bloody hand to hand contest ensued. Havelock’s grey went down; a knot of nine troopers instantly closed around him; his body and theirs, were found together after the battle. In carrying out their self imposed task the 14th lost two officers, one sergeant and thirteen other ranks, and thirty-seven horses killed; five officers, four sergeants, eighteen other ranks and fifteen horses wounded.

Ling was promoted Captain in October 1855, and served with the rank of Major as Commandant of the 7th Regiment of Albanian Cavalry towards to the close of the Eastern campaign of 1855-56 (Order of the Medjidieh Fourth Class, not entitled to Crimea Medal).