Beschreibung:

The important family group to Lieutenant-Colonel J.G.W. Curtis, C.B., Indian Army, and his wife Grace who was one of the four ladies present at the battle of Maharajpoor and who received the special Gold Star from Lord Ellenborough THE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BATH, C.B. (Military) breast badge in gold and enamels, hallmarked London 1815, makers mark 'IE', fitted with correct swivel-ring suspension, ribbon buckle and suspension brooch, slight chipping to green enamel wreath; GHUZNEE 1839, unnamed and fitted with contemporary replacement suspension; MAHARAJPOOR STAR 1843 (Captain, 37th Regt. Native Infantry) fitted with contemporary adapted suspension; SUTLEJ 1845-46, for Moodkee 1845, 2 clasps, Ferozeshuhur, Sobraon (Major, 37th Regt. N.I.); PUNJAB 1848, 2 clasps, Chilianwala, Goojerat (Captn. & Bt. Lt. Col. D.A.C.G. Bengal Army) small edge bruise to the last, otherwise generally good very fine or better THE MAHARAJPOOR GOLD STAR PRESENTED BY LORD ELLENBOROUGH, six pointed solid gold star with fluted rays, with applied silver star of six points each set with three small diamonds, the gold centre finely enamelled with an Indian elephant with inscription around 'Maharajpore. 29 Dec: 1843.', the reverse centre of the star glazed and containing a small lock of hair, fitted with small integral ring for suspension, good very fine and extremely rare Footnote James Gray William Curtis was born at Booterstown, Co Dublin, on 10 January 1809, and enroled as a cadet in the Hon. East India Company's forces in 1826. He was promoted to Ensign on 1 July 1828, the year following his arrival in India. He was subsequently promoted to Lieutenant, on 27 February 1833, and to Captain on 13 January 1842. He had meanwhile, at Dublin on 19 January 1831, while on leave in England, married Mary Grace Shaw, youngest daughter of John Shaw Esq., and she subsequently accompanied him back to India. He took part in the 1st Afghan War and was present at the capture of the fortress of Ghuznee on 23 July 1839. He then served in the Gwalior campaign of 1843 and was present at the battle of Maharajpoor, subsequently receiving the thanks of the Commander-in-Chief, Sir Hugh Gough. In the Sutlej campaign he was present at the battles of Moodkee, Ferozeshuhur and Sobraon. He was mentioned in despatches for the battle of Sobraon as being 'most active in conveying my orders in the battle of Sobraon in the face of every danger' (Lord Gough's despatches). For his services at Sobraon Curtis was promoted to the rank of Lt.-Col. in the army (brevet rank). He served in the Punjab Campaign, 1848-49, with the status of Deputy Assistant Commissary General. He was twice mentioned in Lord Gough's despatches and was subsequently awarded the Punjab Medal with two clasps and made a Companion of the Bath for his services in the campaign. Curtis retired from the army on 8 December 1850, his decision to do so being no doubt influenced by several disagreements and disputes with the authorities over his role in the Commissariat. He married for the second time on 29 March 1853, and was appointed Hon. Colonel on 28 November 1854. He died at Bury St. Edmunds on 16 November 1870. Mrs. Grace Curtis was one of four ladies present at the battle of Maharajpoor on 29 December 1843. In company with Lady Gough and Miss Gough, the wife and daughter of the Commander-in-Chief, and Lady Smith, wife of Sir Harry Smith these four ladies were mounted on elephants. They did not, of course, bear arms but they found themselves in the midst of the battle and under fire from the enemy. Their elephants took fright at the explosion of a powder magazine and made off with the four ladies in some confusion. Later, at the end of the afternoon, as they sat down for a cup of tea on ground captured from the enemy, a mine exploded and blew up the tea tent. The Earl of Ellenborough, Governor-General in India, had similarly found himself embroiled in a battle in which he had no place, was exposed to the hottest fire