Army of India Medal 1799-1826, with clasp, 'Ava'

Awarded to Brigadier-General Sir Henry Montgomery Lawrence, Bengal Artillery.

The Army of India Medal was approved in 1851 for issue to officers and men of the British Army and Honourable East India Company's forces. The award was given retrospectively to survivors of various actions during the period 1799 to 1826. This included the 2nd Maratha War (1803-1805), the Gurkha War (1814-1816), the Pindari or 3rd Maratha War (1817-1818) and the 1st Burma War (1824-1826).

The clasp 'Ava' recognises Lawrence's service in the 1st Burma War (1824-1826). Lawrence, aged 18, commanded a battery in the Arakan region. Like many others, he fell victim to disease and was eventually sent home to convalesce.