MUTINY MEDALS

[Guest Darrell]

Managed to snag a couple of single Clasp Indian Mutiny Medals. Nothing outstanding about the regiments or the guys ... but they were there and did that (so to speak).

First up.

1. Mutiny Medal w/ DEHLI Clasp to SERGEANT William Spare 75th Regiment.

The 75th Regiment was under the 1st Storming Party under Brig-Gen Nicholson. Their goal to assault the main breach and Cashmere Bastion. The 75th numbered 200 and were directly commanded by Lt. Col. Herbert.

Other Columns, their commanders and objectives:

Recapture of Delhi September 1857

Storming Parties

1st Column under Brig-Gen Nicholson

to assault the main breach and Cashmere Bastion

Men HM 75th Foot

(Lt-Col Herbert)

200

1st Bengal Europeans

(Major Jacob)

250

2nd Punjaub Infantry

(Capt Green)

450

2nd Column under Brig Jones

to assault the Water Bastion

HM 8th Foot

(Lt-Col Greathed)

250

2nd Bengal Europeans

(Capt Boyd)

250

4th Sikh Infantry

(Capt Rothney)

450

3rd Column under Col Campbell>

to assault the Cashmere Gate

HM 52nd Foot (Maj Vigors)

200

Kumaon Goorkhas (Capt Ramsay)

250

1st Punjaub Infantry (Capt Rothney)

500

4th Column under Maj Reid

to assault the Kissengunje and Pahareepore suburbs

Sirmoor Goorkhas

Guides Infantry

European Pickets

Native Pickets

850

Reserve under Brig Longfield

to assault the Water Bastion

HM 61st Foot

(Lt-Col Deacon)

250

4th Punjaub Infantry

(Capt Wilde)

450

Belooch Battalion

Lt-Col Farquhar)

300

Jheend Auxiliaries

(Lt-Col Dunsford) >

300

Mr. Spare is listed as "Died 7 January 1860" on the medal rolls. No cause of death. Possibly wounds received or disease.

Obverse of Medal:

[Guest Darrell]

Closeup of DEHLI Clasp:

[Guest Darrell]

Closeup of Obverse:

[Guest Darrell]

Reverse:

[Guest Darrell]

Closeup of Reverse:

[Guest Darrell]

Naming on Rim (officially impressed).

[Guest Darrell]

b.

[Guest Darrell]

c.

[Guest Darrell]

The Roll with Entitlement of the Mutiny Medal with Dehli Clasp:

[Guest Darrell]

Second up.

1. Mutiny Medal w/ LUCKNOW Clasp to SERGEANT Andrew Allan, 79th Highlanders.

He survived and was discharged.

A little history of the 79th Highlanders participation in the Mutiny:

The 79th Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders

After being stationed for a short time at Shorncliffe and for some months at Canterbury, and having been present at the distribution of the Victoria Cross by her Majesty in Hide Park on Tune 26th 1857, the 79th proceeded to Dublin, where it landed on the 28th. Here, however, it remained but a short time, as on account of the Sepoy revolt in India, it was again ordered to prepare for active service. The regiment was rapidly completed to 1000 rank and file, and set sail in the beginning of August, arriving at Madras Roads early in November, when it received orders to proceed to Calcutta, where it disembarked on the 28th of November and occupied Fort-William. After remaining there for a few days, the 79th, on Dec. 2nd, proceeded by rail to Raneegunge, under the command of Lt.-Colonel John Douglas. Towards the end of the month the regiment left Raneegunge for Allahabad, where it halted till the 5th of Jan. 1858, a day memorable in the history of the 79th for its having marched upwards of 48 miles, and gained its first victory in the East, viz., that of Secunclragunge, in which happily it had no casualties.

The regiment left Allahabad for Lucknow on the 18th of Jan., and on the 28th of Feb. it joined the force under Sir Cohn Campbell at Camp Bunterah. The regiment was then commanded by Lt.-Colonel Taylor, Lt.-Colonel Douglas having been appointed to the command of the 5th Infantry Brigade. After passing the Goomtee, the 79th joined the force under Sir James Outram, and was brigaded with the 1st battalion of the 23rd Fusiliers and the 1st Bengal Fusiliers, under the command of Brigadier General Douglas. The regiment was present, and performed its part bravely during the siege and capture of Lucknow, from the 2nd to the 16th of March 1858, its loss being 7 non-commissioned officers and privates killed, and 2 officers, Brevet-Major Miller and Ensign Haine, and 21 non-commissioned officers and privates wounded.

After the capture of Lucknow the 79th joined the division under the command of Major-General Walpole, in the advance towards Allahgunge, Shahjehanpoor, and Bareilly. Its next engagement was the action of Boodaoon, where the regiment had only 1 man wounded, who afterwards died of his wounds. On the 22nd of April the 79th was present at the action of Allahgunge, where it had no casualties. On the 27th, Sir Colin Campbell assumed command of the force and marched on Bareihly, the 79th, along with the 42nd and 93rd, forming the Highland brigade. On the 5th of May the 79th was formed in line of battle before Bareihly, when it helped to gain another glorious victory, with a loss of only 2 men killed and 2 wounded. The regiment received the special thanks of Sir Colin Campbell.

The 79th next made a forced march to the relief of Shahjehanpoor, under the command of Brigadier-General John Jones, and on the 21st of May was again under fire at the attack of that place. Thence it went to Mohoomdee, in the attack on which it took part on the 24th and 25th; here it had 2 men wounded, and, according to the Record-Book, upwards of 100 men suffered from sunstroke.

After this last action the regiment once more found itself in quarters at Futtehgurh and Cawnpoor, one wing being detached to Ahlahabad; this, however, was only for a short time, as on the 21st of October an order was received for the 79th to join the brigade in Oudh, under Brigadier-General Wetherall, C. B. On the 3rd of November the 79th was present at the storm and capture of Rampoor Kosilab, the regiment losing only 2 men killed, and 1 sergeant and 6 privates wounded. For its conduct on this occasion the 79th was complimented in General Orders by His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief. Brig.-Gen. Wetherall having left the force, was succeeded in command by Sir Hope Grant, K.C.B., who appointed Lt.-Col. Taylor, 79th, to command the brigade, Major Butt succeeding the latter in command of the 79th.

The 79th proceeded by forced marches to Fyzabad to commence the trans-Ghogra operations, and was present at the action of the passage of the Ghogra on the 25th of November, the skirmish at Muchllgan on the 6th of Dec., and the skirmish at Bundwa Kotee on the 3rd of Jan. 1859. After the last-mentioned engagement the 79th received orders to proceed to Meean Meer in the Punjab, under the command of Lt.-Col. Taylor.

Thus ended the Indian Mutiny, during which the casualties to the 79th Highlanders amounted to 2 officers wounded, and 158 of all ranks killed. For its gallant conduct during the Indian campaign the 79th received the thanks of both Houses of Parliament, and was authorised to bear on its colours the inscription "Capture of Lucknow." Lt.-Col. Douglas was appointed a K.C.B., and Lt.-Col. Taylor a C.B.

Obverse of Medal:

[Guest Darrell]

Closeup of LUCKNOW Clasp:

[Guest Darrell]

Closeup of Obverse:

[Guest Darrell]

Reverse:

[Guest Darrell]

Closeup of Reverse:

[Guest Darrell]

Naming on the rim:

a.

[Guest Darrell]

b.

[Guest Darrell]

c.

[Guest Darrell]

d.

[Guest Darrell]

Roll stating entitlement to Mutiny Medal and LUCKNOW Clasp:

[Mervyn Mitton]

Darrell - as always, good medals and well researched. Mutiny medals have become quite scarce for the interesting clasps, so, excellent additions to your collection. Do you have other Mutiny clasps ?

[Guest Darrell]

Darrell - as always, good medals and well researched. Mutiny medals have become quite scarce for the interesting clasps, so, excellent additions to your collection. Do you have other Mutiny clasps ?

Hi Mervyn,

No, these are the only ones I have (yet anyway). Considering there are only 5 issued clasps, this one may be somewhat easier to complete than the QSA's ....

[oamotme]

Dear Darrell, Mervyn, et al,

Just back from a trip to India - various mutiny sites - and whilst I specialise in Arab awards, whilst in Delhi I was tempted and succumbed and purchased a Mutiny medal clasp "Lucknow" to "JOHN EVANS 97th REGt" - The Earl of Ulsters (later, post Cardwell Reforms, the 2nd Bn. Queens Own (Royal West Kent). This is not my field of expertise but a nice patina and just an edge nick between the "E" and "V" of EVANS. No rank thus I presume a private soldier? Also would I be correct in that it would have been issued in India and for whatever reason - death or theft, has remained in India ever since? (Well at least until today - it is now at home in my collection here in Riyadh!)

Regards,

Owain (OAMOTME)

[Guest Darrell]

Here's his named listed on the Roll:

[oamotme]

Dear Darrell,

Many thanks for the quick response and the Roll Details - but I am somewhat confused - does this mean he was James known as John to differentiate him from another John Evans? Any ideas?

Regards,

Owain

[Guest Darrell]

Dear Darrell,

Many thanks for the quick response and the Roll Details - but I am somewhat confused - does this mean he was James known as John to differentiate him from another John Evans? Any ideas?

Regards,

Owain

Not sure. I'll take a look at the actual rolls tomorrow to see what I can see.