John Coke (EICo) - Raises The 1st Regiment Punjab Infantry

Raises The 1st Regiment Punjab Infantry

On the annexation of the Punjaub by Lord Dalhousie in 1849, John Coke was appointed to raise a regiment for frontier service, and commenced raising the 1st Punjaub Infantry on 6 April 1849 ; on 23 February following, the regiment was reviewed by the Commander-in-Chief, Sir Charles Napier, G.C.B., when he reported to Colonel Henry Montgomery Lawrence, Deputy Commissioner of Peshawur : —

"As to Coke's regiment, I have seen nothing superior to it in drill — it is admirable ; both you and I saw how this brave corps fought under its excellent leader in our five days' campaign in the Kohat Pass. I am more pleased with this young commander than I can express."

He received also the thanks of the Honourable Court of Directors and the Governor of India for dispatch in raising the regiment and its services in the Kohat Pass. Having been only serving as a volunteer with the force in the Sikh campaign he was refused the medal, but on the recommendation of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief it was granted. The latter wrote from Simla, 3 June 1850 : —

" My dear Coke, I am very glad you have a chance of the medal you have so well earned : you earned it in the defile of Kohat alone, had you no other claim. I shall not easily forget you or your regiment on those five days. I never saw hard work better or more spiritedly done, for it was hard work while it lasted. Pray remember me to your admirable regiment, both officers and men. Yours sincerely, Charles Napier."

The Chief Commissioner of the Punjaub, Sir Henry Montgomery Lawrence, G.C.B., the noble statesman and soldier who fell in the defence of Lucknow in 1857, also wrote : —

" My dear Coke, We have written to you officially, but I cannot refrain from sending you a line myself, thanking you for the honor you have brought on the Punjab Irregular Force. Every one speaks of the gallantry of yourself and men. I only regret their loss was so severe. I feel proud to be connected with such fine fellows. Yours sincerely, H. M. Lawrence."

He received the thanks of the Governor-General in Council and the Punjab Board of Administration for the conduct of the regiment in the campaign under Sir Colin Campbell, K.C.B., in the Ranagie Valley, in May, 1852. Two marches made by his regiment to join the force attracted much admiration. The first letter despatched by Col. Mackeson, Commissioner of Peshawur, directing the corps to march at once for Peshawur, being sent by messenger, had been purposely withheld. His second letter arrived by post on 7 May. At two o'clock the following morning the regiment marched, and arrived that day at Peshawur, a distance of forty miles, with a range of hills to cross and the Kohat defile to pass through. On the 9th, arriving at the Cabul river, he found the bridge of boats swept away. They repaired the bridge, and got over on the evening of the 10th, then marched another forty miles, and found the force as it was going into action on 11 May.