Colonel John Platt
John Platt was born in King’s Langley in 1802. He was the second of four children, born to the Rev. Alexander and Charlotte Platt. His father was the curate of All Saints Church, Kings Langley from 1796, until at least 1806.
DACHT : 2603.1.1 Army of India 1799-1826, 1 clasp, Bhurtpoor (Lieut. J. Platt, 23rd N.I.), short-hyphen reverse die, officially engraved naming, in its original card box of issue, the lid ink-inscribed ‘Lieut. J Platt 23 N.I.
DACHT : 2603.1.1 Army of India 1799-1826, 1 clasp, Bhurtpoor (Lieut. J. Platt, 23rd N.I.), short-hyphen reverse die, officially engraved naming, in its original card box of issue, the lid ink-inscribed ‘Lieut. J Platt 23 N.I.
John Platt had an illustrious military career, serving most of his time in India. A talented artist, he seems, particularly to have enjoyed drawing horses in his time chilling.
In 2006, an exciting collection of papers, medals and sketches relating to Platt became available at auction. These objects and documents had lain in a bank vault, untouched for over 100 years. Thanks to the generosity of the Dacorum Borough Council, the Dacorum Heritage Trust were able to acquire these items, and tell the story of Colonel John Platt.
DACHT : 2603. 2 China 1842 (J. Platt, Captain, 2nd Reg. Bengal Vol.), fitted with contemporary silver swivel-bar suspension with minor edge bruising.
DACHT : 2603. 2 China 1842 (J. Platt, Captain, 2nd Reg. Bengal Vol.), fitted with contemporary silver swivel-bar suspension with minor edge bruising.
Platt was awarded the China Medal, following the successful conclusion to the first China War in 1842.
The India medal was awarded at a much earlier stage in Platt’s career, in 1826, after the siege and capture of Bhurtopore in India. As a lieutenant, Platt would have received £238 in prize money for his part in the action.
DACHT : 2603.7 One of Col Platt’s seals, with entwined initials, in gold with a silver gilt mount
DACHT : 2603.8 One of Col Platt’s seals with his family arms, in gold with a silver gilt mount.
The Dacorum Borough Council provided funds for The Dacorum Heritage to purchase these medals.
By the Dacorum Heritage Trust
