Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

India General Service 1854-95, 3 clasps, Umbeyla, North West Frontier, Jowaki 1877-8 (Captn. B. R. Chambers, 3rd Sikh Inftry.) very fine £600-800

Brooke Rynd Chambers was born on 15 July 1834, and was appointed an Ensign in the 13th Bengal Native Infantry on 30 June 1851, becoming Lieutenant in March 1855. He served with the 13th Bengal Native Infantry in the Sonthal campaign of 1855-56. Chambers was Adjutant of the 13th N.I. at the time of the outbreak of the mutiny at the military cantonment at Mariaon, on the outskirts of Lucknow, on the evening of 30th May 1857. In the confusion of the firing, the darkness and the stench of burning thatch from the bungalows, Chambers had two lucky escapes. First he was shot in the leg but, in falling to the ground, missed being riddled by a burst of musket fire. Managing to reach his own house, he had his wound dressed by his servants and made his way on horseback to the part of the cantonment he knew to be held by European soldiers. On the way he encountered a party of some 50 mutineers but, riding straight through them, escaped without a scratch. He subsequently served throughout the defence of the Residency at Lucknow from 30 June to 17 November 1857, and was severely wounded on 25 September (Medal with clasp, a years service, and a wound pension).

Though the 13th Bengal Native Infantry essentially remained loyal and did outstanding service during the defence of Lucknow, they were not spared disbandment once the campaign was over. Chambers consequently transferred to the 3rd Sikh Infantry, as second-in-command, in June 1860, and served as second-in-command of the regiment with the Eusufzaie Field Force at Umbeyla, including the actions of the 15th and 16th December 1863 (Medal with clasp). Promoted to Captain in March 1865, he was again second-in-command of the 3rd Sikhs with the Hazara Field Force, including operations on the Black Mountain in 1868 (Clasp).

Chambers succeeded to officiating command of the 3rd Sikhs in November 1868, and retained command until the end of November 1870, being promoted to Major the following month. He was appointed Commandant of the 6th Punjab Infantry in January 1873, was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in December 1876, and commanded the regiment in the expedition against the Jowaki Afridis in 1877-78 (Clasp). He also commanded the 2nd Brigade Tank Column throughout the expedition against the Mahsud Waziris in 1881 under Brigadier-General Kennedy. Chambers was promoted to Major-General in January 1892 and died on 26 February 1915.