1/87th advance into Nepal.

Lieutenant Shipp

In February 1816, the uneasy truce between the British and the Gurkhas, during what was the Anglo-Nepalese War 1814-16, gave way to a resumption of hostilities. The 1st Battalion 87th Regiment, having left Mauritius on 16 June 1815, joined Major General Ochterlony's East India Company army near the Nepalese frontier.

Unimpeded by the enemy, Ochterlony's army advanced through the dense forests and mountainous defiles into Nepal from 1-10 February 1816. The Gurkhas were very surprised that the British had penetrated as far as they had and withdrew to the strongly held fort of Makwanpur high on a precipitous ridge. On 28 February 1816, when Ochterlony led a force including the 87th to seize an unoccupied village on the ridge, the Gurkhas attacked but were defeated. The 87th used their bayonets to great effect during the fierce hand-to-hand fighting and as casualties were heavy the Gurkhas soon sued for peace.

The Treaty of Sugauli, concluding the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814-16, was ratified on 4 March 1816.

Below: Certificate of Service - Lieutenant John Shipp

Official Certificate, that Lieutenant Shipp served with the 87th Regiment during the Second Campaign of the Goorkha War, when the Enemy's position at Chirecah Ghattie was turned, and afterwards, when the Enemy was defeated on the Heights of Muckwanpore. Also, that Lieutenant Shipp served with the Left Division of the Grand Army during the Mahratta and Pindaree War of 1817-18.

These are to certify, that Lieutenant John Shipp, of His Majesty's 87th Regiment of Foot, served with that corps during the second campaign of the Goorkha war, and was attached to the light company of his regiment, which formed part of the advanced-guard of the division under the command of Major-General Sir David Ochterlony, Bart., G.C.B., when the enemy's position, at the pass of Chirecah Ghattie, was turned; and afterwards, when the enemy was defeated in a general attack on the heights of Muckwanpore.

Lieutenant Shipp's conduct on the last occasion was much extolled, having, in personal conflict, with one of the enemy's Sirdars, destroyed him, when charging the light company on its ascending the hill of Muckwanpore.

Lieutenant Shipp also served with his regiment at the siege of Hattrass; and, being one of the first to enter the gate of that fortress, in endeavouring to intercept the rajah and the garrison, then in the act of abandoning the place, he received a wound in the hand.

Lieutenant Shipp afterwards served with the left division of the grand army under the Marquis of Hastings, during the Mahratta and Pindaree war of 1817-18, and was present at the several sieges in which the left division was employed, as well as in the pursuit of the Pindarees.

(Signed)W.L. Watson,
Major, Assistant-Adjutant-General with the Troops
on the occasions above cited.