Under A Tropical Sun: General Orders 2 June 1819

Ceylon Medal

General Orders: 2 June 1819

"In reference to those parts of the General Orders of the 1st of May, and 7th of July 1818, which record the gallant, and well executed enterprize of a Detachment of His Majesty's 1st Ceylon Regiment, under the Command of Native Lieutenant Annau, in the capture of the Rebel Mohattale Kohokoombera, on the 18th of April and the heroic entrepidity [sic] of a party under Lance Corporal MacLaughlin of ther 73rd Regiment, in the generous defence of the dead bodies of their fallen Comrades, on the march from Passera to Badulla on the 16th of June, The Commander of the Forces, in fulfilment of his intention, as set forth in the Orders of the 1st of May & 7th of July, that some adequate mark of distinction should be conferred on all those who were engaged in the above Services, has been pleased to direct that appropriate Silver Medals should be struck, corresponding in number with that of the individuals concerned, on whom they are exclusively to be bestowed, and to be worn, suspended by a strong blue Ribband on the left Breast, in the manner of the Waterloo Medals.

These Medals being now completed will be transmitted by the Deputy Adjutant General to the Officers Commanding the 73rd, 1st, and 2nd Ceylon Regiments who will cause a correct distribution of them to be made to the Officers and Soldiers, belonging to the Battalions under their respective Commands, who bore a part in the occasions referred to, and whose names are as follows, and which are engraved on the Medal for each person.

It is a subject of high gratification to the Lieutenant General to have occasion to commemorate and reward actions so creditable to the gallant and generous spirit of the British soldier, and to the bravery and devoted fidelity of His Majesty's Native Troops of this Establishment, and he trusts that they, on whom these testimonials of merit are now conferred, will fully appreciate and deserve by their future good conduct the distinctions they have so honourably and so justly obtained, and that they will remain with them and their Posterity for years to come.

Names of the Men to whom Medals are to be Distributed

73d Regiment
Lance Corporal R. M^cLaughlin
Private W. Conner
Private C. Sheppard
Private J. Wilson

1st Ceylon Regiment
Native Captain Annau
Serjeant O. Ismael
Lance Serjeant Samsodeen
Corporal Abbossallily
Lance Corporal Jumat 2nd
Private Parkeertan
Private Jamatt 1st
Private Soolo
Private Mastan Java
Private Rady Ceylon
Private Deeto
Private Havian
Private Aleman
Private Sooa. Dewangsa
Private Cooterie
Private Abdulcader
Doll Tallebon
Private Carrim
Private Samedin
Private Mena. Vejoya
Private Sinnen
Private Noyeodonyso
Private Camerodeen
Private Killm. Mandar
Private Leatt
Private Parkeertamby
Private Mertan
Private Palaveu
Private Sauanham
Private Sootra
Private Cader
Private Abodin
Private Chinta
Private Sastoo
Private Sootia
Private Veera Snoteho
Private Amat Colombo
Private Vira Joya
Private Babona

2d Ceylon Regiment
Private Thomas
Private Ambar

Source:
Extract from General Orders 2 June 1819 [Head Quarters, Colombo]

Manuscript Transcription
Transcript prepared by Robin Walsh
Macquarie University Library, Sydney, Australia. © 2004