Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Colonel G. C. Jackson, Bengal Cavalry, Indian Army, who was mentioned in Despatches for both the storming of Umbeyla, December 1863, and the assault of Magdala, April 1868; he later served on the Staff of three succeeding Viceroy’s of India; was Commandant of the Governor-General’s Body-Guard; and Commanded the 5th Bengal Cavalry

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Umbeyla (Lieut. G. C. Jackson. 11th. Bengl. Cavy.); Abyssinia 1867 (Capt. G. C. Jackson 12th. Bengal Cavy.) suspension neatly re-affixed on latter, edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine (2) £700-£900

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 2007.

George Charles Jackson was born on 5 February 1841, the son of General George Jackson, Indian Army, and was appointed a Cornet in the 2nd Bengal European Cavalry on 20 October 1858, being advanced Lieutenant in February 1859. He served with the 11th Bengal Cavalry as part of the Eusufzaie Field Force on the North West Frontier in 1863 and was present at the reconnaissance and affair in the Chumla Valley or Eagle’s Nest, and at the storming of the Conical Hill, the destruction of Lalloo, and the burning of Umbeyla. For his services he was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 19 March 1864).

Promoted Captain in May 1866, Jackson transferred to the 12th Bengal Cavalry, and subsequently served with the Abyssinian Expedition under Sir Robert Napier, where he was present at the action of Arogee and the capture of Magdala, and was again Mentioned in Despatches ‘for services at the assault of Magdala’ (London Gazette 10 July 1868), receiving the approbation of the Government.

Jackson was appointed an Extra Aide-de-camp to Lord Mayo in November 1869, and then served as Aide-de-Camp to Lord Northbrook from May 1872, and to Lord Lytton from April 1876. Promoted Brevet Major in March 1877, he was posted to the Governor-General’s Body-Guard from the 12th Bengal Cavalry in December 1877 and was Commandant of the Body-Guard from June 1878 until December 1883, being promoted Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel in July 1883. Returning to the 12th Bengal Cavalry, he was specially selected to take command of the 5th Bengal Cavalry, and was promoted Colonel in November 1887. He was compulsorily retired from the Indian Army, to pension, after 32 years’ service in November 1891, owing to a single less than favourable report into his Regiment, the circumstances of which were thought by his former chief Lord Northbrook to be an injustice, and the case was subsequently raised and debated in the House of Lords.

Sold with a file of copied research, including the parliamentary transcript of the debate on the recipient’s retirement.