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

The Punjab campaign medal to Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Miller, 10th Foot

Punjab 1848-49, 2 clasps, Mooltan, Goojerat (Major Thos. Miller, 10th Foot) contact marks, otherwise very fine £1000-1200

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 Miller was born in Jersey on 3 September 1799. He was commissioned Ensign in H.M’s 10th Regiment of Foot on 9 January 1817, without purchase, arriving in India in June of that year and afterwards served in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. In 1819 his regiment was temporarily disbanded in North America and he transferred to the 1st West India Regiment ‘without difference’. ‘In consequence of ill-health at the recommendation of the Medical Board’, he transferred again ‘without difference’ to H.M’s 40th Regiment in 1825 and next served in New South Wales and Van Diemen’s Land.

Miller became Lieutenant in July 1827 and in 1839 he participated in operations in the Lower Scinde under Brigadier Valiant, K.C.H. Advanced to the rank of Captain on 16 July 1841 and Major on 1 August 1848, in his old regiment, the 10th Foot, he was present throughout the siege operations at Mooltan in 1848-49, and, serving as Brigade Major to the 1st Infantry Brigade, was ‘present with the troops at the repulse of the enemy’s night attack on 17 August 1848’. Following the surrender of the fortress in January 1849, the besieging force joined Gough’s army, and Miller was accordingly present on 20 February 1849 at the battle of Goojerat. He was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 21 February 1850 and on 3 September of that year exchanged into the 81st Foot.

Ref: WO 76/85.