The Brian Ritchie Collection of H.E.I.C. and British India Medals

The Second Mahratta War medal to Trooper Dennis Driscoll, 29th Light Dragoons

Army of India 1799-1826, 3 clasps, Allighur, Laswarree, Capture of Deig (D. Driscoll, 29th Lt. Dragns.) short hyphen reverse, officially impressed naming, extremely fine
£5000-6000

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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Ex Hyde Gregg 1887 and Whitaker 1896.

Whitaker’s printed catalogue notes: ‘This is, in every way, a rare and remarkable medal. Dennis Driscoll was in B troop. Only 14 men had this medal. This remarkable regiment, the 29th Light Dragoons, was raised in 1795 by Major-General Lord Heathfield, and was numbered the 25th after 1804 (sic). It served with distinction in India, and was at the reduction of the Isle of France. It was disbanded at Chatham on its arrival from India in 1819.’

Only 8 medals issued with this combination of clasps, 6 to the 29th Light Dragoons including one officer, and 2 to HEIC recipients. Approximately 66 clasps for Allighur, 100 clasps for Laswarree, and 103 clasps for the Capture of Deig were issued to European recipients.

Dennis Driscoll, a glass blower by trade, was born in Cork, and appears to have served five years and 350 days in the 75th Foot before enlisting in H.M’s 29th Light Dragoons at Edinburgh in May 1800, for a period of unlimited service. The regiment was renumbered the 25th Light Dragoons in 1802. Driscoll is described in the Regimental Description Book as being of ‘Dark Complexion, Visage Long, Brown Eyes, Black Hair’. Driscoll was still serving with the regiment in April 1810.

Ref: WO 25/306.