Early Indian Army Meritorious Service Medal - 1848

[Rusty Greaves]

 

I have not seen a thread dedicated to early Indian Army Meritorious Service Medals. I apologize if I have missed a dedicated thread, but this seemed like a fun medal to illustrate here. I do not know about this medal, but wanted to post information about this rare Indian Army Meritorious Service medal that comes from from 1848. The photo and description come from a current Liverpool Medals catalog (https://www.liverpoolmedals.com/product/heic-msm-vr-serjt-major?mc_cid=a4f154f49d&mc_eid=eb61970ca6; SKU J9077). The listing reads:

 

"Description

Indian Army Meritorious Service Medal, H.E.I.C. Issue, VR, Sergeant Major Robert Sullivan, EIC Depot, a rare medal to a well respected soldier.

 

Officially Impressed: “Serjt Major Robt Sullivan E:I:C: Depot”

 

This attractive and unusual medal was instituted in 1848 and awarded only until 1873, awarded to Europeans who had served in the Honourable East India Company, “For Meritorious Service”, few were awarded in it’s 25 year lifetime.

 

This medal is certainly one of the first, if not the first ever to be issued, records note that the medal was instituted on 20th May 1848 by General Order of the Indian Government, however he was given his medal in early April 1848.

 

The presentation of this exact medal was recounted in the Chelmsford Chronicle on 7th April 1848 in a colourful article detailing his remarkable 33 years of service recruiting for the HEIC and his adventurous early days at the Capture of Guadaloupe in the Napoleonic Wars.

 

“INTERESTING SCENE AT WARLEY BARRACKS

 

On Wednesday morning last, being the day fixed for the presentation of an elaborate silver medal to Serjeant Major Robert Sullivan, at the Hon. East India Company’s Depot, at Warley, in this county, every soldier in the barracks was buoyant with joy at the thought of an honourable testimonial of regard being presented to this very veteran soldier.

 

Ten o’clock was the time fixed for the presentation. All the men, about 600 in number, appeared in their full regimental uniforms. After forming into squares, their bayonets glittering in the sun.

 

Col. Hay, accompanied by all the officers in the depot, in a very neat speech, observed that he felt great pleasure in the pleasing duty he was about to fulfill. The board of directors of the H. E. I. Co. had commissioned him to present Serjeant Major Robert Sullivan with a silver medal, as a token of their sincere esteem for his good conduct during the long period of thirty-seven years in their service, and he fervently hoped, together with his brother officers, that he long might enjoy life to wear it.

 

The medal was then pinned on to his left breast by the adjutant, the old man’s countenance, which is now strongly marked by old Time, beaming with gratitude. The medal is a very neat specimen of workmanship on one side the Queen, and on the other the East India Arms, surmounted with the following inscription—”Serj. Major Robt. Sullivan, for thirty-seven years’ long and meritorious conduct.”—At the taking of Guadaloupe he was boat-swain’s mate, for which he also is entitled to a medal.

 

We cannot conclude without observing that Serj. Major Sullivan is a man of generous and humane disposition, religious without cant, indulgent to the fallings of others, without ever encouraging what he knew to be wrong, a man highly respected by every one, in the words of Goldsmith, “would do good, but blush to find it fame”—The men returned to barracks, each giving vent to his joy at this meritorious and well deserved act of kindness. [From a Correspondent.] “

 

His retirement as noted in the Morning Advertiser, 4th Jan 1856, at the age of 79:

 

“AN OLD SOLDIER REWARDED.

 

A very interesting ceremony took place on Monday last, the 31st ult., at Warley Barracks, the depot of the East India Company, in the presentation of a testimonial to the esteemed Sergeant Major Robert Sullivan, on his retirement from the depot and service of the Company.

 

Forty-four years has he been employed on active duty, and for the last thirty-five years he has held the situation of Sergeant Major in the depot. The directors of the East India Company, to testify their esteem for one who has served them well, determined the testimonial should be publicly presented.

 

The whole of the troops in the depot were formed in three sides of a square on parade. When Colonel Leslie, the commandant, addressed the troops, he stated, “From the high estimation in which the directors of the East India Company held the sergeant-major, they had deputed him to present him with a cheque for 100l., a pension of 2s. per day, and an annuity of 20l.”; and then turning to the fine old veteran, now in his 79th year, he expressed to him the great regret they all felt in parting with him, and in presenting him the gift, expressed a wish that God would bless him, and that he might live many years in health and happiness.

 

The adjutant then read the depot order, in which was the following passage:— “While strictly upholding the discipline of the service, Sergeant-Major Sullivan has been uniformly conspicuous for the temper and consideration with which he has treated all under his control. He leaves the depot with the universal esteem of all ranks, and the commandant most sincerely wishes him many years of happiness and prosperity in his retirement.”

 

The sergeant-major, in reply, said, “He felt most grateful for the kindness and liberality of the directors and for their handsome present; that he had always felt the greatest interest in the welfare of the depot; and for the kindness and respect invariably shown him he tendered his best thanks.”

 

A purse of 30 sovereigns, subscribed by the officers of the depot, was privately presented, and also a very handsome time-piece, with a suitable inscription, was presented by his comrades, the non-commissioned officers. A number of the inhabitants of the town of Brentwood were present to witness the ceremony, and by whom he is equally esteemed.”

Edited November 2 by Rusty Greaves

[Farkas]

Thanks Rusty, a very interesting read, 🍻