PUNJAB MEDAL

[Guest Darrell]

The following Punjab Medal arrived today. Awarded to 498 Thomas Payman with the 9th Lancers for service in the 2nd Sikh War. He was present at the Battles for Chilianwala and Goojerat in January 1849 and February 1849 respectively.

Of note he also served in the 1st Sikh War at the Battle for Sobraon in February 1846. Thus he was also entitled to the Setlej Medal (no clasps) with Sobraon reverse.

A nice little writeup on the details of his service.

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Thomas Payman a native of Farringdon, Berkshire and by Trade a 'Mason' was 18 years of age when he attested for service in the British Army at Coventry, Warwickshire on 21 April 1836. His military service totaled 15 years and 128 days by the time he took his initial discharge at Wuzeerabad, India on 16 September 1850. During his service, Thomas spent 8 years of it abroad in the East Indies.

At the time of his discharge the conduct and character of No 498 Private Thomas Payman was described as;

Quote,

His character and conduct have been very good. He served in the Sutledge Campaign in 1845-6 and was present at the Battle of Sobraon 10 Feby 1846, and in the Punjab Campaign in 1848-9 and was present at the passage of the Chenab 4th December 1848 and at the Battles of Chillianwala 13th January 1849 and Goojerat 21st Feby, 1849. He received one Good Conduct Badge 21st April 1843, & a second on 21st April 1846.

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A little writeup of the role of the 9th Lancers in the Battles for Chilianwalah and Goojerat.

9th Lancers (Queens Royal Light Dragoons and later 9th/12th Royal Lancers)

Chillianawala

The 9th Lancers were in the 2nd Cavalry Brigade under the command of Brigadier Pope along with the 14th Light Dragoons and the 6th Bengal Light Cavalry under the overall command of Major General Sir Joseph Thackwell. They were involved in a charge on the right flank but the Bengal native cavalry did not carry through and halted mid charge. This forced the 9th Lancers and 14th Light Dragoons to halt as well and they were then forced back by a counter charge from the Sikh cavalry and retreated in complete disarray.

Goojerat

The Cavalry Division again came under the overall command of Major General Sir Joseph Thackwell. This time the 9th lancers were in the 3rd Brigade under the command of Brigadier White along with HM 3rd Light Dragoons, 8th Bengal Light Cavalry, Scinde Irregular Horse and 2 troops of horse artillery. They acquitted themselves better this time around with a squadron of the 9th being involved with the Scinde Horse in a successful counter charge against the Sikh Cavalry.

[Guest Darrell]

Details on the medal itself:

Date Instituted: 1849.

Campaign: Punjab 1848-49.

Description: The obverse of the medal bears the head of young Queen Victoria and the legend 'VICTORIA REGINA'. The reverse depicts Sir Walter Gilbert receiving the Sikh surrender with the inscription 'TO THE ARMY OF THE PUNJAB' above and the date MDCCCXLIX in the exergue below. The suspender is of the common swivelling ornate scroll type.

Metal: Silver.

Size: 36mm.

Clasps: 'MOOLTAN', 'CHILIANWALA' and 'GOOJERAT'.

Ribbon:

Naming: Impressed capital letters similar to the style found on the Military General Service Medal.

Comments: A large number of these medals were awarded to Indian troops but many of them were later melted down for their silver content. As a result more examples are found for sale named to European recipients than native troops.

Normally the clasps on this medal are read downwards in chronological order. However some genuine examples exist where the clasps are read upwards.

Obverse:

Edited April 15, 2010 by Darrell

[Guest Darrell]

Closeup of Clasps:

[Guest Darrell]

Closeup of Obverse:

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Reverse:

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Closeup of Reverse:

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Impressed Naming 1:

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Naming 2:

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Naming 3:

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Naming 4:

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Copy of the rolls for which Payman was entitled to the Setlej Medal for Sobraon Action and the Punjab Medal with Clasps for the Chlianwalah and Goojerat actions.

[Guest Darrell]

Some paper work that came with the medal.

Attestation Paper:

[Guest Darrell]

Article of War:

[Guest Darrell]

Discharge Papers 1:

[Guest Darrell]

Closeup of the bottom part of preceding page. Shows the verbiage listing Payman as being present at the Battles of Sobraon (1st Sikh War) and Chilianwallah and Goojerat in the 2nd Sikh War.

[Guest Darrell]

Discharge Papers 2:

[Guest Darrell]

Record of Service:

[Guest Darrell]

Final Description:

[Guest Darrell]

A series of Pages on his Medical report (explaining why he was listed as Unfit for Duty and eventually invalided back to England in September 1850.

[Guest Darrell]

Closeup of Reasons for discharge:

[Guest Darrell]

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[Guest Darrell]

Two parts of the same "note" that was in the Archive Folder. Not sure what it says as the writing is very hard to make out.

[Guest Darrell]

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[Brian Wolfe]

Another outstanding post Darrell.

Thanks so much for this very informative article.

Regards

Brian