BRITISH ARMY PUNJAB MEDAL 61ST REGIMENT FOOT SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT

36mm wide circular silver medal with ornate scrolled swivel ribbon suspension bar with GOOJERAT & CHILIANWALA (see below for clasp entitlement) clasps; the face with the crowned head of Queen Victoria facing left, circumscribed ‘VICTORIA REGINA’ and signed ‘W. WYON. R.A.’ (for William Wyon, R.A., 1795-1851, chief engraver at the Royal Mint from 1828 to 1851); the reverse with script in capitals TO THE ARMY OF THE PUNJAB, with roman numerals indicating the date 1849, with central portrait showing a British officer on horseback, with native rebels throwing down their arms at the feet of the victorious army. Attributed on the edge in large impressed fashion to JAMES POW, 61ST FOOT.; on correct ribbon. Comes with confirmation roll paperwork.

The Punjab Medal was a campaign medal approved in 1849, for issue to officers and men of the British Army and Honourable East India Company who served in the Punjab campaign of 1848-49 – operations which ended in the British annexation of the Punjab. The medal was approved on 2 April 1849, authourised for all who served in the Punjab between 7 September 1848 and 14 March 1849.

*Chilianwala: 13 January 1849. Awarded to troops under the command of Lord Gough who engaged with the Sikh army of Sher Singh and Lal Singh near Chilianwala.

*Goojerat: 21 February 1849. Awarded to troops under the command of Lord Gough who defeated the Sikh army of Sher Singh at Gujerat.