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Auction: 19003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 17

A notable Indian Mutiny Medal awarded to Private G. Jays, 90th Light Infantry, who was killed in action on 25 September 1857 during the First Relief of Lucknow

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Defence of Lucknow (G. Jays, 90th Lt. Infy.), toned, good very fine

George Jays, a native of Walton-on-Thames, enlisted into the 90th Light Infantry (Perthshire Volunteers) on 5 January 1855. This regiment formed part of Major-General Sir Henry Havelock's column for the First Relief of Lucknow. It was assigned to Colonel Hamilton's 2nd Brigade, which also included the 78th Highlanders and Brayser's Sikhs. On 23 September this Brigade took part in the capture of the Alumbagh, a large enclosure situated just outside Lucknow. This was a stunning feat, achieved quickly and against overwhelming odds. Some 300 sick and foot-sore men were left to defend the Alumbagh, while the remainder of the force assaulted the city on 25 September. Lucknow's great canal had to be crossed, and the narrow Charbagh Bridge was the only viable route. This bottleneck was defended on the enemy bank by a 7-foot high solid earthen rampart, mounted with six guns, with a single narrow slit through which one man at a time could pass.

Aware that he would be leading his troops into a killing zone, Brigadier-General Neill, commanding the 1st Brigade, chose to await reinforcements. Lieutenant Havelock, son of the general and a member of Neill's staff, strongly advocated carrying the bridge with the bayonet immediately. He turned and rode away out of sight, apparently in search of his father. Some time later he galloped back, saluted Neill, and told him his father had ordered the bridge to be carried at once. The ruse worked, and at 8.30 a.m. the attack began, led by the Madras Fusiliers (Fitchett 1909, pp. 199-200). Young Havelock led the attack, sword in hand. The rebel guns took a fearful toll, but the bridge was carried. To reach the Residency, the troops then had to weave through a narrow, twisting street, while subjected to murderous rebel musketry from loop-holed buildings on all sides. This via dolorosa extended for three quarters of a mile, terminating at the Baillie Guard. Jays was killed in action at Lucknow on 25 September, during this hellish assault. A further 535 British casualties were suffered. Since the Muster Rolls of the 90th Foot were burnt at Cawnpore, no more information about Jays is available; sold with copied service papers and Medal Roll.

Recommended reading:

Fitchett, W. H., The Tale of the Great Mutiny (London, 1909).



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Sold for
£950

Starting price
£550