Indian General Service - Cheshires in China, 1889-90?

[Guest ExileEric]

Cheshires in China - 1889-90?

I've found in a load of old family stuff an Indian General Service medal with the clasp for 'Chin-Lushai, 1889-90'. It was issued to 2254 Pte. W. Horam, 1st Bn Ches R.

I haven't the foggiest who Pte. Horam was (although there was a 17 year-old William Horam living in Congleton, Cheshire, according to the 1891 census - that would provide a reasonable age in 1889-90). Certainly there isn't any family connection I'm aware of - but it would be good to try to make this medal a bit less anonymous and my curiosity about the Cheshires has been aroused.

I've tried the net to try to track down the 1st Cheshires' connection with this campaign in China but without luck. In spite of their long survival as an independent, unamalgamated regiment, they seem to be very badly served - the only thing approaching a Regimental Museum is on an uninformative, unresponsive university site in Chester.

Any help gratefully received. Many thanks.

[Ed_Haynes]

This is not China. This is the Chin-Lushai campaign. On India's northeast frontier. Can rummage up some details if you wish.

[Guest ExileEric]

This is not China. This is the Chin-Lushai campaign. On India's northeast frontier. Can rummage up some details if you wish.

Many thanks, Ed. Apologies first of all for the delay in replying (I've been away) and secondly for my ignorance! I'm usually much more picky about what I write but I registered for the site and posted this query on impulse late one night - and Chin-Lushai sounded Chinese! That'll larn me to make glib assumptions.

Anyway, I'd certainly be grateful if you could point me at any references on the web to the campaign and, possibly, to the Cheshires' part in it. My curiosity's been aroused.

Thanks again. I'm certainly impressed by my very first foray into a forum like this.

Eric

[Ed_Haynes]

Until recently, the multi-volume Frontier and Overseas Expeditions from India series had been online as a PDF, but, as with so many things on the internet, it seems to have gone walkabout. Just more evidence why the internet will never be a substiutute for real sources (books, journal articles, etc.).

I know that Gordon's British Battles and Medals has bene recomemnded in your other thread on the same topic so I'll not repeat it here.

Untimately, F&OE is the source here. Will check the reference (volume, chapter, pages) when I get home.

[Guest ExileEric]

Until recently, the multi-volume Frontier and Overseas Expeditions from India series had been online as a PDF, but, as with so many things on the internet, it seems to have gone walkabout. Just more evidence why the internet will never be a substiutute for real sources (books, journal articles, etc.).

I know that Gordon's British Battles and Medals has bene recomemnded in your other thread on the same topic so I'll not repeat it here.

Untimately, F&OE is the source here. Will check the reference (volume, chapter, pages) when I get home.

Once again, Ed. Many thanks for your trouble. I've made a note of the references. Not sure where I'll be able to get at them. but will check with various regimental museums, reference libraries in Birmingham and Manchester - and my son teaches at York University and he's a military history buff so he might be able to help.

Thanks again. Eric