Single Campaign Medals

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Sergt. Major A. Delahay, Attd. Goorkha Force) light contact marks, very fine £400-£500 --- A. Delahay served during the Great Sepoy Mutiny as Quartermaster Sergeant of the 66th Gurkha Light Infantry, and was in action at Chumpoora. The History of the 4th Prince of Wales’ Own Gurkha Rifles, by R. Macdonnell and M. McCauley states: ‘The Gurkha force consisted of the 66th Gurkah Rifles with a detachment of the Extra Regiment under Sergeant Major Delahay. Colonel McCausland accordingly left Haldwani after dark on the night of 9 February 1858. He took 500 rifles, consisting of the 66th Gurkha Rifles and 70 of the Extra Regiment under Sergeant Major Delahay. A forced march of seventeen miles was made that night and before daytime the enemy were found encamped in a strong position some nine hundred yards off the road near Charpura. It was during this fight that Lieutenant Tytler was awarded the Victoria Cross. He dashed on horseback ahead of his men and rode single handed at an enemy gun, where he engaged the gunners in a hand to hand fight until his men arrived. Sergeant Major Delahay, with the detachment of the Extra Regiment, was also Mentioned in Despatches for conspicuous action. The Extra Regiment was awarded the Mutiny medal for the part it took in this engagement.’ Seven years later Delahay was still with the Regiment, and took part in the Umbeyla campaign 1863-64, where he was again Mentioned in Despatches for his conspicuous gallantry on Conical Hill on 15 December 1863- two Havildars and five Sepoys of the Regiment were awarded the Indian Order of Merit for the same action. Sold with copied research.