Description
Punniar Star, 29th December 1843, Private William Nattion, H.M. 3rd Foot, aka the East Kent Regiment or Buffs, with elaborate custom suspension.
Officially engraved in running script: “Private William Nattion H.M. 3rd Regt”
Like most of these stars which were not produced to be worn with a ribbon initially, it has had an attractive suspension setup attached to it.
On the reverse is a custom screw fitting which has had a loop in the style of a cap badge attached to the centre, likely to prevent the star from moving whilst worn on the breast, being attached to the suspension bar via a decorated silver loop and the ribbon attached to matching flat silver bars, the top brooch being fitted with a pin for wear.
A scarce Buffs Punniar Star, provenance ex DNW 2013 who had the following service details:
William Nattion joined the 3rd Foot in 1841, transferred over to the 39th Foot in 1844 and then 10th Regiment in 1846.
This is typical for units in India, once they were due to return home, an appetising offer was present to transfer to another unit remaining in the country.
He was later invalided home from India and discharged on 21st February 1854.
During the Gwalior Campaign of 1843 two battles were fought on the same day, Punniar and Maharajpoor by different forces.
An account of the battle from the Buffs, was published in “The Dragon”, the regimental chronicle, on 15th October 1874 (originally copied shortly after the battle from the Indian Mail) which reads:
“Our Division formed the Left Wing of the army of Gwalior, under the command of Major-General John Grey, C.B.; but, it is little known upon how small a section of our force the severity of the action and loss fell, namely H.M.’s 3rd Regiment “Buffs”, a company of Sappers and Miners, 5 companies of the 39th N.I., H.M.’s 50th Regiment, 50th N.I., 58th N.I., and six Artillery guns, in all about 2000 men.
On the 29th December we made almost a forced march of 16 miles through the valley of Himmughur to Punniar, and immediately observed the enemy in a strong position on the heights near the fortified village of Mangore, who commenced firing on our baggage train. Some Cavalry and Horse Artillery were detached, but prevented by ravines from attacking the enemy.
Soon after 4 p.m. H.M.’s 3rd Buffs, a company of sappers and miners and the 39th N.I., were ordered to march and attack the enemy, and these bore the brunt of the battle. The gallant manner in which Col. James Clunie led The Buffs, and the thrilling cheer they gave on charging the enemy, can never be forgotten by those present.
The exertions of every officer and soldier, after a fatiguing march, in the first instance, of sixteen miles, and soon after of four miles to the attack, seemed almost to surpass the powers of human nature, and yet under the excitement, our men appeared even fresh.
The Buffs and sappers took eleven guns out of the 24 captured. Two of these were taken by Lieut Robert Douglas who commanded No 2 company of The Buffs, and had his Color-Sergt. and 4 men killed and twelve wounded. He was placed in command of this company by Capt. Donald Stewart, who, as senior Capt. was posted to the light company, and killed, being shot through the left eye by a six pound ball. His wife was the only lady in camp, and had the distress to see him fall.
The army of the enemy, commanded by an able and most experienced Officer, consisted of about 12000 men of all arms, and fought well generally. His body guard, 500 Rajpoots, splendidly mounted and armed at all points, behaved with the greatest bravery and were nearly all killed. Their gallant commander was shot though the lungs, and died the following day.
His standard bearer was shot by Martin Daly, a private of the Buffs, and the standard instantly seized by Lieut. Douglas, and also a beautiful sabre from the Chief, the former he carried through the thickest of the fight, and after the battle safely deposited in the fort of Mangore.
The whole conduct of this gallant Regiment was admirable, and worthy of their highest Peninsular reputation, and Punniar will add honour to the names borne on their distinguished colours.
The heaviest loss in killed and wounded, fell upon the Buffs and 39th Native Infantry, but nothing could be more admirable than the conduct of our whole force engaged, and our loss is severe.”
