|
Known as Fighting Bob Sale for his eagerness to be in the thick of the action and also known as the Defender of Jellalabad. Robert Henry Sale was the second son of an Indian army colonel. He served under Sir Arthur Wellesley at the siege of Seringapatam. He was a major in the First Burmese War where he famously fought in single combat against the Burmese leader, and killed him. In his late fifties he led a storming party at the siege of Ghanzi (or Ghunzee) and cleaved the skull of at least one of the defenders. In the First Afghan War he commanded the fort at Jellalabad, built up it's defences and repelled a large army of Afghan tribesmen during a long siege. But he beat them off in the final sortie and the tribesmen retreated. In the First Sikh War he was the QMG for Sir Hugh Gough's army but he was mortally wounded at the Battle of Mudki and died a few days later.
He is seen here in the uniform of the 13th Light Infantry, the regiment he is most associated with. They were the only British regiment at Jellalabad, along with other Indian units, and he was their Colonel from 15th Dec 1843. The coatee is scarlet with blue facings since they were a Royal regiment from 1842 in honour of their actions at Jellalabad.
1782 born |
| Campaigns | First Sikh War |
Armed Forces | Art and Culture | Articles | Biographies | Colonies | Discussion | Glossary | Home | Library | Links | Map Room | Sources and Media | Science and Technology | Search | Student Zone | Timelines | TV & Film | Wargames