Presentation sword, Light Cavalry Officer, Pattern 1822, presented to Gentleman Cadet John Reid Becher by the Court of Directors of the East India Company in 1837

Made by E and W Bond, 1837.

The blade is pipe backed, etched with the East India Company Lion and the maker's name, and engraved with the dedication, 'Gentleman Cadet John Reid Becher This Sword Presented to him at the Publis Examination on the 10th Decr 1837 by the Honble Court of Directors of the East India Compy As a mark of the Court's Approbation of his General Good Conduct while at the Company's Military Seminary'.

Becher (1819-1884) served with the Bengal Engineers, and was involved in the 1st Afghan War (1838-1842) and the 1st Sikh War (1845-1846). He rose to the rank of General in 1878. He died in Southampton on 9 July 1884.