Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part III)

The Punniar star to Private Thomas Shea, H.M.’s 40th Foot

Punniar Star 1843 (Private Thomas Shea, H.M. 40th Regt.) fitted with original brass hook suspension, nearly extremely fine £400-450

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Brian Ritchie Collection of H.E.I.C. and British India Medals.

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Thomas Shea was born at Mallow, county Cork, in 1819, and was a shoe maker by trade. He enlisted into the 40th Regiment at Cork on 15 December 1840, aged 21 years. He embarked for service in India late in 1841, and in 1842 took part with his regiment in the campaign in Afghanistan, including operations around Candahar and Ghuznee and the advance to Cabul. His presence at the battle of Punniar at the end of the following year, whilst the remainder of his regiment fought at Maharajpoor, 12 miles distant, is thought to have arisen from his being appointed an orderly to an attached officer serving with the army of General Grey.

On 31 October 1844, Shea volunteered into the 28th Regiment but was deemed medically unfit after an inspection in July 1848 and recommended for discharge. He embarked for England in August 1848, and on arrival there was admitted to Chatham Hospital, where he remained for 44 days. He was finally discharged at Plymouth on 2 October 1848, and awarded a pension of 6d per day for a limited period of 18 months only.

Refs: WO 12/5354/5; WO 97/475.