DAY 1 of Three-Day General Auction
Lot 65:
A Sutlej War Medal 1845-46, for Moodkee, with clasps for Ferozeshuhur and Sobraon; named to: Serjt John Janaway 80th Regt. The 80th Regiment (Staffordshire Volunteers) played a prominent part in the Sutlej, or
First Sikh War of 1845-46. The three battles commemorated on this medal represent some of the most savage and bitter fighting encountered during the British
conquest of India, during which the resolute leadership of the British Commander-in- Chief, Sir Hugh Gough, enabled the forces of ‘John Company’ to overcome odds of
more than three to one in defeating the highly professional Sikh Army, or Khalsa. At Sobraon, fought on 10 February 1846, the Sikh losses were estimated at 10,000 and
they also lost all their 67 guns. The total British casualties were 320 killed and 2063 wounded. Writing after the battle, Sir Harry Smith described it as the hardest fight in
his life, except for Badajoz, Waterloo and New Orleans. Sir Hugh Gough later paid tribute to the gallantry of the Sikhs in these words: “policy prevented my publicly
recording my sentiments of the splendid gallantry of the fallen foe – I could have wept to have witnessed the fearful slaughter of so devoted a body.”
Good Very Fine (GVF) condition.
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