Description
Scinde Medal 1843, Hyderabad reverse, William Strong, 1st Troop Horse Artillery, the famous cavalry unit that won the battle of Hyderabad.
“The Battle was decided by the troop of Horse Artillery and H.M. 22nd Regiment” – Major General Charles Napier’s letter after the battle.
“The Governor-General having taken into consideration the peculiar merits of the 1st troop of the Bombay Horse Artillery under Major Leslie, with having participated in the distinguished services of the Army of Canadhar, under his Excellency Major General Sir W. Notts, G.C.B., and having returned to India with the troops from Cabool, marched from the camp of Ferozepore, early in January, and joined the Army of Scinde in time to decide, in conjunction with H.M.’s 22nd Regiment, the Battle of Hyderabad, is pleased to direct that the 1st troop of the Bombay Horse Artillery shall hereafter forever be denominated the 1st, or Leslie’s Troop of Horse Artillery, and shall, in addition to all other decorations or inscriptions upon its appointments, bear the ‘Eagle’. The Governor General directs that this general order, and the substance of the despatch annexed, shall be explained to the troops at all the stations of the Army, and that all such stations a salute of 21 guns shall be fired in honour of the victory of Hyderabad.”
Impressed in the official recognised style of the unit: “W. STRONG 1st T. H.A.” Named in the usual style encountered to this unit, and also fitted with the silver clip and straight bar suspension also a classic feature of these medals to the unit. With original sewn silk ribbon as worn, this frayed over the last 180 years but still surviving.
Details of this man: Mr William Strong, first entered the service of the East India Company during 1828, from Dumfries, he attested for service for an “unlimited” term on 4th August 1828. He arrived on 19th May 1829, on the ship Buckinghamshire in India. Joined 1st Troop on 16th March 1833. Transferred to 2nd Battalion Artillery, 11th October 1837. Gunners in 4th Company 2nd Battalion, 1st November 1837. Transferred to the Non Effective List on 21st May 1838. Back as Gunner in the Horse Artillery in 1839, and sometimes Bombardier. After gaining much renown in the Afghanistan and Scinde Wars, William died on 2nd January 1845 in India.
THE BOMBAY HORSE ARTILLERY
The Bombay Horse Artillery, which William Strong was a member of for 17 years is a well regarded unit, the pride of the HEIC Forces, with their beautiful gold uniforms. You may have heard of the N Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, known as “The Eagle Troop”. This unit still exists today, having joined the Royal horse Artillery in 1858 after the Indian Mutiny. The honour of the Eagle was earned by men like William Strong during the Afghan and Scinde Wars of 1840-43.
