Lot 1213

Description

Trio: Afghanistan Medal 1878 - one bar - Peiwar Kotal; Indian General Service Medal 1854 - two bars - Burma 1885-7; Burma 1887-89; Royal Humane Society Small Silver Medal Leut./Capt. G.S.Eyre 5th Ben.N.I./ S.C./ B.S.C. 15 April 1877. Engraved. Very fine.

Mentioned by Govt of India despatches. L.G. 2 September 1887. With research. Lt-Col. Grevas Selwyn EYRE was the eldest son of John Edward EYRE the Australian explorer. Eyre was famous for his exploration of central Australia and later Lieutenant Governor of New Zealand. G.S. Eyre was educated at Eton and from there joined the 36th Regt of Foot. He joined the Bengal Infantry where 'he saw much service in the 2nd Afghan War, during which. accompanied only by one orderly, marched thirty miles at night through enemy country, to be present at the taking of the Peiwar Kotal.' He also acted as Orderly Officer to Col.Mcqueen Commanding the 5th Regt. P.N.I during the assault. During the Burma War he acted as a political officer and took part in 3 years of fighting that proceeded the pacification of Upper Burma. During the years 1893-95 he was acting Inspector General of Police and was instrumental in setting up a C.I.D. in Burma. Awarded the Royal Humane Society Silver Medal: 'On the 15th April 1877, Lt Deane and Mansell attempted to swim across a branch of the Ganges at Baghalpur, Bengal, in all their clothes, when Deane became faint. Lt Mansell did all he could to sustain him in the water. But, through being clasped around the neck by Deane, would have drowned with him had not Lt G.S. EYRE of the Bengal Staff corps, with great promptitude come to their assistance. The moment he saw them in diffuculties he had on all his clothes - heavy shooting boots, etc. but he swam some eighty to ninety yards, and succeeded in separating Mansell from the grasp of Deane and then brought the insensible body of the latter to the shore. A strong stream was running, and the bottom was very muddy, also the bank was steep. The risk was very great.'