Major-General Robert Henry Sale GCB


Robert Henry Sale was nicknamed Fighting Bob on account of his bravery and reputation for always being in the thick of the battle. He defeated several adversaries in single combat, at Rangoon in 1825 and again at Ghazni in 1839, and famously commanded the garrison at Jellalabad. While on his way to Jellalabad he ignored orders to return to Kabul despite the fact that his wife and daughter had remined there. They were captured by Akbar Khan but later rescued by General Sale who led a cavalry detachment into hostile territory for that purpose. He joined forces with Pollock's army of retribution and won a victory at Haft Kotal. He was appointed QMG in 1845 for the First Sikh War but was killed at Moodkee.

1782 Born, 19 Sep
1795 Entered army, 36th Foot
1798 Service in India, 12th Foot
1799 Fought at Seringapatam
1806 Promoted to Captain
1808-09 Operations against Raja of Travancore
1810 Mauritius
1813 Promoted to Major
1820(circa) Joined 13th Foot
1824 First Burmese War
1826 Severely wounded at Malown
1839 First Afghan War
1840 Parwan
1841 Jellalabad
1845 Battle of Moodkee, 18 Dec
1845 Died of wounds received at Moodkee, on 21 Dec 1845.


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