A fascinating group of Afghan and Indian campaign medals awarded to Major-General Henry Pelham Burn will be among the top-selling lots in Baldwin's and Dreweatts bi-annual Military Sale on November 6 in London.
 Burn was responsible for the interrogation of Mughal poet Ghalib, but ensured safe passage for the writer |
The group was awarded to the major-general for his service in the British Afghan campaign of 1840-1842, as well as during the Indian Mutiny in 1857. A group of four, with an additional medal awarded to Burn's son, it will sell with a £4,000-6,000 ($6,464-9,697) estimate.
Burn served during the first Anglo-Afghan war, a disastrous campaign for the British that was one of the first major conflicts of the Great Game (the struggle for power in Asia during the 19th century).
The major general was present at the Battle of Jellalabad in 1842, which was an Afghan siege of a British outpost that culminated with a British counterattack that saw the Afghan forces retreat to Kabul.
During the Indian Mutiny, Burn personally interrogated the renowned Mughal poet Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib, and even provided safe passage for the poet to his home, helping to preserve his writings from the period.
The set is joined by the 1854-95 Indian General Service single clasp Burma 1885-1887 medal awarded to Captain Henry Pelham Burn, the major-general's son.
Also starring is an Edwardian secretaire cabinet by Waring and Gillow with royal significance, which is estimated at £5,000-7,000 ($8,080-11,313).
The piece is marked with a brass plaque that reads: "H.M.S. Medina used on state visit of the King & Queen to India 1911-12 Warings' (Waring & Gillows) London."
The RMS Medina was initially commissioned as the Royal Yacht, and it was decided that the ship would take King George V and Queen Mary to India for the Delhi Durbar in 1911.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has a brilliant selection of militaria for sale. We also have this wonderful Gillows folio cabinet - check out our online store for more.
