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Auction: 19001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 110

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 2 clasps, Lucknow, Relief of Lucknow (Robt. Cleary, 53rd. Regt.), nearly very fine and better

Provenance:
Spink, June 1986.

Robert Cleary was born in 1829 at Kilfinnan, Limerick, and enlisted for the 53rd Regiment on 13 March 1847. He sailed for India in November and joined his regiment at Lahore. Moving to Ramnuggar in February 1849, he was present at Goojerat (Medal & clasp).

From 1852-1857 his service was rather erratic, four times gaining good conduct pay and four times having it forfeited. On the final occasion he was tried by Court Martial and imprisoned for 5 months.

Cleary served throughout the Indian Mutiny Campaign and is mentioned in Reminiscences of the Great Mutiny 1857-59 by William Forbes-Mitchell, firstly prior to the assault on the Begum's Kothee when he 'rushed up to us (the 93rd) with a soda-water bottle full of grog', and secondly for remaining with the 93rd throughout the fighting.

In March 1860, Cleary volunteered and was transferred to the 6th Bengal European Regiment. Promoted to Corporal, he transferred to the 101st Foot and was discharged on 9 June 1868. His medical report suggested demons in his character:

'aggravated by use of intoxicating liquors and by his indulgence in other habits and vices.'

Cleary become a Sergeant in the Municipal Market, Calcutta; sold together with copied service record and extract from Reminiscences of the Great Mutiny 1857-59.


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Sold for
£510