Description
India General Service Medal 1854, bar Sikkim 1888, 1991 Private Charles Coughlin, 2nd Bn Derbyshire Regiment aka The Sherwood Foresters, a scarce award.
Officially engraved in running script: “1991 Pte C. Coughlin 2nd Bn Derby R.”
Confirmed on the medal roll which recalls he earned the clasp for service between 21st August 1888 – 27th September 1888.
The Sikkim Expedition of 1888 was unusual in that instead of fighting against “Indians” the campaign was waged against Tibetans who came over the border from Tibet, part of the Qing Dynasty China to the area of Sikkim.
Until the Tibet Expedition of 1903-04, the Sikkim Expedition would be the highest altitude that campaigning had taken place, the battles being fought at altitudes of 20,000 feet above sea level.
Sikkim was a Himalayan state in the Northeast of India right on the border of Tibet. During early 1888 the Tibetans on the border had managed to persuade the Rajah of Sikkim to erect a fort at Lingtu which would obstruct the route through the state, the British were not happy as this got in the way of their agreements. The British Viceroy of India, tried to get the fort construction cancelled but was unsuccessful which led Britain to organising a military column that would capture the fort and drive out the Tibetans from Sikkim back over the border.
Charles Coughlin saw service in the campaign between 21st August and 27th September, taking part in the final capture of the fort, by the 27th September the fighting was over and the British had cemented themselves as the victors.
The Adjutant General wrote to the Secretary of the Government of India on 16th October 1888 the following:
“In no less degree to the patience and endurance of the officers and soldiers of all ranks during the trying period occupied by this campaign, as well as their bearing in action with the enemy, merit, praise and commendation.
Confined within the limits of the Gnathong Post and Valley, at an elevation of 12,600 feet during the wettest season of the year, and occupied only in patrolling in rain and discomfort and observing the encroachments of the Tibetans, it required no small exercise of zeal to maintain a cheerful spirit.
The Conduct of the Force has nevertheless been exemplary, and their discipline and bearing all that could be desired; and the Commander in Chief has much pleasure in commending Brigadier General Graham and the Force under his command to the favourable notice of the Governor General in Council.”
The campaign finally ended in “The Action of 24th September 1888”, the battle was recounted in the Regimental History as:
Note, 3 Companies of the 2nd Derbys were in the Left Column, and 1 Company (G) was in the Right Column.
“The movements of the three columns are described by Captain Iggulden as follows:—
“The Right Column had about the shortest route to traverse and it reached the saddle, where it had directions to halt, about 10 a.m., the two 7-pounders under Lieut. Tytler of the Pioneers coming into action and firing the first shots from our side. This fire was directed against the Tibetan sangars down the main Gnathong Valley, and excellent practice was made, the shells soon causing the Tibetans to evacuate that position and retire towards their wall on the Pemberingo Saddle. A few long-range volleys from a section of ‘G’ Company hastened their movements.
The mist came on very thick at this time with a slight drizzle, obscuring all view to within a few hundred yards, and a halt of about an hour had to be made, waiting impatiently for orders, and longing for the clouds to lift and enable us to see what was going on.
At about 11.30 it began to clear and the enemy could be seen retiring from their position. The other two columns were in possession of the Tuko La and advancing, part towards the Nim La and part towards the Pemberingo, pouring in volley after volley on the retreating foe. Major Halkett now gave the order to advance, so a descent was made into the Gnathong Valley, and the path leading to the Pemberingo was found. The Pemberingo Saddle was reached at 12.30, a good many stragglers of the enemy being picked off on the way. There were a good many dead and wounded at the Pemberingo Saddle.
At about 1.30 the Centre Column arrived at the Pemberingo Saddle as it had orders to watch the pass of that name, having left the main body at the Nim La. Orders at the same time arrived for ‘G’ Company of our Battalion to join the main body at the foot of the Jelap La with all speed, which it accordingly did.
The Centre Column advanced up the main road to the Tuko La and, having the easiest route to go by, soon cleared off the advanced Tibetan skirmishers on their left front, and, feeling their way cautiously through the mist and clouds, became engaged opposite the wall on the Tuko La about 10.15 a.m. The Tibetans evidently expected the main attack to be made by the centre column, as they had some four or five cannon or jingals posted on their wall.
The fire of these was soon silenced by the Pioneers, who fired volleys, and a further advance being made to within 300 yards of the Tuko La, a heavy independent fire was opened on the wavering Tibetans, and, the Gurkhas arriving at the same time on the left along the ridge adjoining the Tuko La, the wall was charged and taken.
The enemy now fled in all directions. The Pioneers, leading, went straight on towards the Nim La, accompanied by some Gurkhas and followed by the three companies of our Regiment and the four guns R.A. The remainder of the Gurkhas followed the wall towards Mount Paul and Pemberingo, whither a large number of the Tibetans had retreated.
The Left or Main Column proceeded up the spur on the left of the lower camp, the Gurkhas leading, followed by the guns and our three companies. They had a steep climb of 1,500 feet before they gained the heights above, from which an advance could be made on the enemy. Having gained the top, going was comparatively easy for some 1,200 yards.
They were not long in covering this, and the Gurkhas on gaining sight of the Tuko La and hearing the Pioneers below firing at it, poured in a few volleys and charged the wall simultaneously with the Pioneers. They then followed the wall towards Mount Paul and the Pemberingo, where they gained on the Tibetans and got to close quarters with them, doing great execution, killing over two hundred of them and pursuing the remainder into the valley below.
The troops were formed up at once for an attack upon the enemy on the main pass, the British to attack on the left of the Jelap stream and the Gurkhas on the right, covered by the four guns of the Mountain Battery; but as the advance began and the guns opened fire, the enemies’ hearts failed them and they fled across the Kupup Valley and over the pass.
The troops followed closely, and before darkness set in the summit was gained, picquets sent out, and the men then settled down as best they could; and as the baggage did not get up till after midnight, the men passed an uncomfortable night, sheltering under the lee of the rocks, in a freezing wind at an elevation of 14,000 feet, having been marching, fighting and climbing for ten hours.”
