United Kingdom. An Army of India Medal to J. Vallis, 11th Light Dragoons

Instituted March 21, 1851. In silver, full size, rim officially impressed J. VALLIS, 11TH LT DRAGNS (Royal Mint), short hyphen type, worn with a BHURTPOOR clasp, small contact marks to edges, dark patina, near extremely fine condition.

Footnote:  James Vallis, 11th Light Dragoons is on the medal roll for the Army of India Medal, with a Bhurtpore clasp. The medal was previously sold by Spink in March 1995. 

Vallis also served with the 11th Light Dragoons at the Battle of Waterloo. 

The 11th Dragoons qualified for the Army of India Medal primarily through their service during the siege of Bhurtpore in 1825–26. As part of Lord Combermere’s cavalry, the regiment supported the operations against the massive fortress, which had previously withstood a British assault in 1805. Throughout the campaign the 11th provided mounted cover, reconnaissance, and support for the infantry and artillery, and were present at the successful storming of the fortress in January 1826. For this service, surviving officers and men were later awarded the Army of India Medal with the clasp “BHURTPOOR.” A total of 198 clasps were awarded to the 11th Dragoons. In addition, a small detachment of the regiment that served in Burma qualified for the clasp “AVA,” though the Bhurtpore clasp is the one most directly associated with the regiment as a whole.