Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Persia (D. Mc.Nab, 78th. Highlanders) nearly extremely fine £500-700

Donald McNab was born in Kilbrandon, near Oban, Argyllshire, in 1818, and attested for the 79th (Cameron Highlanders) Regiment of Foot on 21 November 1836. Promoted Corporal on 1 March 1841, he transferred to the 78th (Highland) Regiment of Foot on 1 April 1842, and was promoted Sergeant. He served with the 78th Foot in India from July 1842, and during the Persian campaign, where the Regiment played a prominent role at the battles of Koosh-ab, Mohammerrah, and Akwaz.

Returning in India, he took part in suppressing the Great Sepoy Mutiny, and under the command of Brigadier-General Sir Henry Havelock the Regiment was involved in the recapture of Cawnpore on 16 July 1857, and in the first Relief of Lucknow on 25 September 1857. The 78th Foot fiercely defended the Residency at Lucknow for six weeks until they were relieved by Sir Colin Campbell’s Second Relief Force on 17 November 1857; 256 men of the 78th Foot died during the Siege. He subsequently served with the Rohilkand Field Force in company with the Highland Brigade, capturing the town of Bareilly on 5 May 1858 (entitled to Indian Mutiny Medal with clasps Defence of Lucknow and Lucknow).

Returning to the U.K., McNab was discharged at Fort George, Scotland, on 6 December 1859, after 23 years and 6 days’ service, of which 12 years and 7 months had been spent in India.

Sold with copied discharge papers and medal roll extracts.