Full medal write up
SCINDE 1843 REVERSE MEEANEE, HYDERABAD 1843 ‘CAPT. N. L. GARDINER 22ND REGT.’
“Captain Gardiner served with the 22nd throughout the operations in Scinde under Sir Charles Napier, including the destruction of the Fort of Imaumghur battles of Meanee and Hyderabad (Medal).”
Nathan Smith Gardiner was born in Mallow, County Cork in December 1810 and was Commissioned Ensign by purchase on the 23 June 1825 but remained on the unattached list until joining the Cape Mounted Rifles on 27 August 1827. Serving in the Cape from April 1829, he was made Lieutenant of the 22nd Foot, without Purchase on 18 July 1834 and Captain by Purchase 26 January 1841, serving in the East Indies between June 1841 and July 1843 when he exchanged into the 44th Regiment 24 of July 1843. The 44th had just returned to England after service in Afghanistan and India and after the Scinde campaign, the 22nd continued service in India. Interesting the man Gardiner exchanged with was Captain Souter who was the sole surviving officer of the 44th Foot who made a last stand at Gandamak.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_conquest_of_Sindh
Promoted Major in 1848, Lieutenant Colonel in 1856, Colonel in 1860 and Major General in 1874. He had been placed on Half-Pay in March 1853. Major-General Nathan Smith Gardiner of the United Service Club pall Mall and of 14 Regent Street Westminster, died on 7 September 1875.
Medal roll confirms initial ‘L’ is correct on the medal as issued but his second name was certainly ‘Smith’. Naming officially engraved in a larger style to that normally found on medals to the 22nd. However Gardiner had left the Regiment well before the medals were issued, whereas the 22nd were still in India. One of six Scinde medals to Captains of the 22nd Foot.
Condition VF, engraved in large serif capitals, some contact wear and EK’s, fitted with replacement silver clip and silver straight bar suspension. Sold with copy service. Ex Glendining 1996 and Spink 2009 (£1900).
A scarce 22nd Officers medal.