The scarce First Afghan War medal and Punjab Medal to James Hunter, a Scottish-born officer with the 53rd Bengal Native Infantry.

 

Born St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland on 24th July 1808, Son of Rev. Dr. James Hunter and his wife, Jane Wilson. Posted as Ensign to 53rd N.I. 4 Nov. 1828. Fur. s.c. 17 Feb. 1829 till 9 Nov. 1831. Actg. Adjutant, Left Wing 53rd N.I. 4 Mar. 1835 till 1837. Adutant 53rd N.I. 9 Nov. 1837 till 10 Sept. 1842. First Afghan War 1842; forcing of Khyber Pass; Ali Masjid; operations of Bdr. Wild's Bde.; re-occupation of Kabul; Lieut. 53rd N.I., with Gen. Pollock's force (Medal).

 

Intr. & Qmr. 53rd N.I. 10 Sept. 1842. Bde. Qmr. to Bdr. Wild's force 28 Sept. 1842. Offg. Bde. Major at Meerut 3 Dec. 1844. Second Sikh War; in garrison at Lahore; Capt. 53rd N.I. (Medal). Offg. Bde. Major at Delhi Dec. 1853. Fur. 1854 till retirement on 4 June 1855.

 

Married twice - Anna Margaretta Corfield in 1839. She died in 1855 and Alexa Dodgson in 1860 until James's death on 22 January 1867.

 

Cabul 1842 contemporarily engraved J. HUNTER, LIEUTt. 53rd Regt. B.N.I. Steel clip and replacement straight bar suspension. Punjab 1848-49, correctly impressed CAPTn. J. HUNTER, 53rd BENGAL N.I.)