Watch List notes:

*The Regimentally Unique and Highly Important Maharajpoor Star & Sutlej Campaign Pair awarded to Major the Honourable Arthur William FitzRoy Somerset, Grenadier Guards, Military Secretary to the Governor-Generals of India Lord Ellenborough and Sir Henry Hardinge. Having distinguished himself with great 'acts of heroism' shown during the Battles of Maharajpoor where he was severely wounded beside the mortally wounded General Churchill whilst killing and disarming two Mahrattas, upon his recovery he again received multiple gunshot and sabre wounds at the Battle of Ferozeshuhur where this time he finally succumbed to his injuries, comprising: Maharajpoor Star, 1843 (Captain Arthur William FitzRoy Somerset 1st or Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards), officially engraved to reverse with typical fittings; Sutlej, 1845-46, for Moodkee 1845, single clasp, Ferozeshuhur (Major A: Wm Fitzroy Somerset 1st Grenadier Guards:), officially impressed naming; original ribbons, old cabinet tone, extremely fine and of considerable importance. Major Arthur William FitzRoy Somerset (1816-1845), the eldest son of Lord FitzRoy Somerset, 1st Baron Raglan and his wife, Lady Emily (née Wellesley-Pole), was born in Paris on 6 May 1816. In 1824 he was made Page of Honour to his Majesty, entering into the 1st Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards as Ensign, reaching Lieutenant in 1832, Captain in 1837, later advancing to Major on 30 April 1844. He led a relatively short but highly distinguished career, performing several notable acts of bravery during his service in India in the Gwalior and Sutlej campaigns of 1843-6. The first occasion was during the Battle of Maharajpoor on 29 December 1843, where he was severely wounded whilst engaging and disarming two Mahratta soldiers. Captain Somerset and his Commanding Officer General Churchill had been crossing a maize field in the latter stages of the battle when two Mahrattas set upon them. General Churchill was mortally wounded in the beginning of the exchange, but Major Somerset was able to kill the first, and then managed to disarm the second. In the process, he received no fewer than three sabre cuts to his left arm, a musket ball through his right, two severe sabre wounds to his left thigh, and another below his right knee. Despite these injuries he survived, and took his foe's Tulwar and matchlock as mementos. For this, his father commissioned a silver figural centerpiece from Garrard's of the very highest calibre to celebrate his son's bravery, and General Sir Hugh Gough, Commander- in-Chief in a Despatch to the Governor of India, wrote of the day's events: 'Several acts of heroism occurred on this day: none exceeded those of Major General Churchill, C.B. and Captain Somerset of the Grenadier Guards, your Lordship's military secretary whom you kindly allowed to act on my staff, and whom I sent with Brigadier Cureton's brigade to communicate to me the movements of that Corps. These two gallant officers fell, having received wounds in personal recontre... I am glad to add that Captain Somerset will do well, though severely wounded.' Recovering from his wounds in the Simla hills, and despite a now persistent limp, he was promoted to Major in April, 1844, and the following year he married Mrs Emile Marie Louse Wilhelmina Mellish (the widowed daughter of Baron de Baumbach of Hesse) at Calcutta on 8 July 1845 – formerly married to Captain D. Mellish of the 10th Bengal Cavalry. The marriage was met with a mixed reception amongst his family – particularly with his father, who broadly perceived the marriage to be unsuitable, and was also frustrated by his son's increasing debts and lavish lifestyle. Given his significant family connections, Arthur Somerset was appointed Military Secretary to the Governor-General of India, Lord Ellenborough in 1844, being retained in the same position by Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Hardinge later in the same year. Captain Somerset was later present at the Battle of Moodkee on 18 December 1845. During the main attack the commanding officer of the 30th foot had been unhorsed, whereupon Major Somerset was ordered by the same officer to take up the command, which he did 'admirably', rallying the troops and ordering them to fix bayonets for a charge upon the Sikh guns. Leading the bayonet charge from the front, and on horseback with his friend Arthur Hardinge (son of Sir Henry Hardinge) beside, they charged, with Somerset running a gunner through in the process (as detailed in: 'Raglan – From the Peninsula to the Crimea' by John Sweetman, which gives a fine account of his life.) Just days later in the Battle of Ferozeshuhur (also known as Ferozeshah) on 21 - 22nd December 1845, he again found himself in the heat of battle, facing an enemy force of 108 guns with French officers, and some 50,000 men. During the day's latter stages, Major Somerset and Arthur Hardinge were riding with the 50th Regiment as they approached the entrenched Sikh camp when they came under very heavy enemy fire. In the process, Hardinge's horse was killed beneath him, and Major Somerset was gravely wounded – receiving a musket round through the lungs. Reports differ quite starkly on the timing, but either soon after, or (more probably), the next morning, Somerset was found on the battlefield 'benumbed with cold, and a most ghastly spectacle' whereupon Arthur Hardinge located a surgeon to treat him. Despite fighting on for some days afterward he eventually succumbed to his wounds on Christmas Day, 1845. Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Hardinge, G.C.B. in a Despatch to General Sir Hugh Gough, wrote 'Major Somerset my Military Secretary, ... was shot through the body, conducting himself with the hereditary courage of his race. He was always foremost where difficulties required to be overcome, I deeply regret his loss'. Writing in a later letter to Lord FitzRoy Somerset, Sir Henry Hardinge continued privately: 'Your brave son is no more...(he had) many fine qualities, which would have ripened into maturity and made him a distinguished officer. He had an accurate eye and a great quickness for Troops and in our social circle he was an universal favourite from his kindheartedness and aimiability [sic].' He was buried at Ferozepore, where a memorial was placed within St Andrew's Church, and Sir Robert Peel made a sincere tribute to Arthur's death in the House of Commons on 2 April 1846. Additionally, a memorial was placed in the Royal Military Chapel, Wellington Barracks, with the following inscription: "Sacred to the memory of Brevet-Major Arthur William Fitzroy Somerset, Eldest son of Lieut-General Lord Fitzroy Somerset, K.C.B.; Lieutenant and Captain in the Grenadier Guards, and Military Secretary to the Governor-General of India; who died of his wounds at Ferozepore, on the 28th December 1845, in the 30th year of his age. His military career, though short, was eminently distinguished. The Official despatches of the Commander-in-Chief attest his individual heroism during the Campaign of 1843 in Gwalior. The same record exists of his zealous exertions at the brilliant Victory at Moodkee, of the 18th December 1845, and at Ferozepore on the 21st December 1845. He fell, covered with wounds, while cheering the British Troops to an attack upon the formidable Batteries of the enemy." These medals deposited with the Royal United Service Institution by Lt. Col. George Somerset, 3rd Baron Raglan, in 1895; removed by Major FitzRoy Somerset, 4th Baron Raglan, in October 1952. Ex Christie's, The Raglan Collection, 22 - 23 May 2014. (£10000-15000)