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Auction: 19001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 113

(x) The outstanding Indian Mutiny Medal awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel J. M. Bannatyne, 8th (King's Liverpool) Regiment, who in the course of the campaign was twice wounded, thanked in the despatches no less than seven times and commanded the Regiment at the famous capture of the Burn Bastion, 19 September 1857

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 2 clasps, Relief of Lucknow, Delhi (Capt. J, M. Bannatyne, 1st Bn. 8th Regt.), mounted as worn with silver buckle claw, good very fine

John Millar Bannatyne was born on 30 May 1829 at Glasgow, eldest son of Andrew Bannatyne. Commissioned into the 93rd Regiment on 17 December 1847, he had transferred to the 8th Regiment by 1853. Promoted Captain on 22 April 1853, Bannatyne saw extensive service in India from November 1853-January 1858. He was heavily engaged during the Siege of Delhi, participating in the repulse Sorties on 9, 14 and 18 July, being twice wounded having been fighting in the City itself. Appointed to command of the Regiment, he led them for the capture of the Burn Bastion, 19 September. During this furious engagement, Brigadier-General J. Nicholson was mortally wounded, whilst the British forces suffered over 1,100 casualties. Bannatyne would also command the Infantry of the Column which occupied the Jumna Musjid, 20 September, before being appointed a Brigade Major, serving under Greathed's Column for the actions of Bolundshur, Allyghur and the battle of Agra. Transferred to the 3rd Brigade under Lord Clyde, he served at Dilkoosha, the Relief of Lucknow, Cawnpore and Khudagunj. By the conclusion of the Mutiny, Bannatyne had rightly been thanked in the despatches on 7 separate occasions:

15 December 1857 & 22 February 1858 (Colonel Greathead).
15 December 1857 (Colonel Cotton).
16 & 29 January 1858 (Sir Colin Campbell).
16 January 1858 (Governor-General).
15 December 1857 (Lieutenant-Governor, North-West Provinces).

Promoted Brevet Major in the Field 19 January 1858, he published Our Military Forces and Reserves in 1867. Retired with a pension as Lieutenant-Colonel on 10 December 1870, Bannatyne died on 20 August 1886 at 3 Woolton Mount, Bournemouth; sold with copied service record.

For the Medals awarded to his brothers, please see Lots 89 and 126.

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Sold for
£1,500