A Fine Series of Army of India Medals from an Old Collection

Army of India 1799-1826, 1 clasp, Ava (Nathl. Sydenham, 41st Foot) short hyphen reverse, officially impressed naming, very fine £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Series of Army of India Medals from an Old Collection.

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Collection

Ex Hamilton-Smith Collection 1927, Dalrymple-White Collection 1946, and Elson Collection 1963.

Nathaniel Sydenham was born at Honiton, Devon, and was a tailor prior to his joining the 41st Foot at Chelmsford on 13 June 1811, aged 19. According to his discharge papers he served ‘In America for two years, received four bayonet wounds when one of a forlorn hope at “Fort Eyrie” and was the only survivor out of 10 men sent out on this occasion. In France for five months and 8 days. In the East Indies for fifteen years one hundred and forty six days and was present during the whole of the Burmese War.’

He was twice promoted to Corporal, October 1823 to September 1824, and May 1830 to September 1832, but was discharged in the rank of Private on 25 July 1838, ‘worn out by Service, frequent attacks of fever with abstinate neuralgic affections of the muscles of the loins and lower extremities’.

He did not claim a medal for Fort Detroit to which he was surely entitled. Sold with copy discharge papers.