A Collection of Awards to the Worcestershire Regiment formed by Group Captain J. E. Barker

Punjab 1848-49, 2 clasps, Chilianwala, Goojerat (Captn. K. Murchison, 29th Foot.) fitted with silver ribbon buckle, toned, good very fine £500-600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards to the Worcestershire Regiment formed by Group Captain J. E. Barker.

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Kenneth Murchison was born at Inverness, Scotland, on 18 September 1804. He joined the 29th Foot from the 1st Battalion, Scots Guards, when, at age 27, he was appointed to be Colour-Sergeant and Acting Sergeant-Major of the 29th Foot Reserve Companies on 1 March 1831. He joined the Service Companies in October 1834 at Port Louis, Mauritius, where the regiment had been serving since September 1826. Murchison was appointed Regimental Sergeant-Major in December 1834 and, returning to England in 1838, was commissioned as Ensign on 1 February 1839, and appointed Adjutant in March 1840. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 20 May 1841, and embarked with the regiment for India in the following year. He served in the Sutlej campaign of 1845-46, and was present at the battle of Ferozeshuhur, 21-22 December 1845, receiving ‘field’ promotion to the rank of Captain with effect from 22 December 1845. The regimental history records:

‘Lt. A. A. Simmons... who was commanding the Grenadier Company in Capt. Lucas’ absence (serving as Brigade Major, and K.I.A.), had been wounded in the foot, and was limping away, leaning on Lt. Murchison, when a bullet struck him in the head, and he fell dead at Lt. Kirby’s feet.’

At the ensuing battle of Sobraon, 10 February 1846, Murchison was slightly wounded (His Sutlej medal was sold at Glendining’s in October 1983). Captain Murchison served in the Punjab campaign of 1848-49, in command of the Grenadier Company, including the Passage of the Chenab, the battles of Chilianwala and Goojerat, and the pursuit of the Sikhs to the Jhelum (Medal with two Clasps). Murchison retired on 10 December 1852, and was advanced to the rank of Major on 28 November 1854. Major Murchison died at St Helier, Jersey, on 24 December 1883. Sold with extensive research including a portrait photograph copied from a regimental album.