Lt-Col R SMITH, 59th & 8th Bengal Infantry 1850s-70s

[GRAZ]

Hi All
I recently bought a nice no bar 2nd Afghan medal named to LIEUTENANT COLONEL ROWLAND SMITH, 8TH BENGAL INFANTRY. He served in the Indian mutiny with the 59TH BENGAL INFANTRY, and the Mounted Police element of the Jummoo Auxiliary Force. Other than this i know nothing about his Mutiny service or if his medal was awarded with or without a bar, i also know nothing about his service after the Afghan campaign, if anybody can give me any more information on him, it would be much appreciated.

Cheers
Graham

[Mark]

Hi Graham

The service records of British officers in Indian regiments reside within the India Office of the British Library. While I have never been there myself I am told conducting research there is an interesting experience - and not one for the feint-hearted! Apparently they are in a state of organised chaos! However, the following link may be of interest: http://indiafamily.bl.uk/UI/Home.aspx

I am sure other members may be able to help you more.

Mark

[GRAZ]

Mark
Thanks for the help, it's much appreciated.

Cheers
Graham

[GRAZ]

Hi All
I recently picked up a no-bar 2nd Afghan war medal named to LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ROWLAND SMITH, 8TH BENGAL NATIVE INFANTRY. I know a lot of details about his service from 1852,( when he was commissioned ), to 1880. I'm curious about his service after the Afghan war but can find nothing else about him. Could anybody help me with any additional information, particulary when he retired, and if he reached a higher rank.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Graham

[Jonathan]

He continued with the 8th Bengal Infantry for a while an reached the rank of colonel. Here is a snippet from the 1886 Hart's List:

R Smith 1886 HL.png (16.73 KiB) Viewed 341 times

Here is his rank progression per the 1893 Hart's List:

Rowland Smith, Lt. Col. Indian Staff Corps: 2nd lt. 26 Aug 52, lt. 23 Nov 56, capt. 26 Aug 64, maj 26 Aug 22, lt.-col. 26 Aug 73, col. 26 Aug 82 Nov.

He died in 1893, a colonel on the unemployed supernumerary list, Indian Staff Corps. I am not sure of his cause of death.

I will let you know if I find anything else.

Jonathan

[jersey]

Was married in 1866 to a Mary J Delpratt.

David

[GRAZ]

Thanks for the info chaps.

Cheers
Graham