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Auction: 19003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 25

The Indian Mutiny Medal awarded to Corporal A. Consani, Military Train, who was killed in action on 17 April 1857 during the pursuit of Kunwar Singh across the Tons River

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 2 clasps, Relief of Lucknow, Lucknow (Corpl. A, Consani. 2nd Bn. Mily. Train), extremely fine

Anthony Consani was born at St. James's, Bristol in 1836. The 1851 census shows him living in Bristol with his father Andrew, an Italian model-maker from Tuscany. Young Anthony joined the 34th (Cumberland) Regiment of Foot aged 17, and served with the regiment throughout the Crimean War. He was slightly wounded at the first assault on the Redan on 18 June 1855, an action in which the 34th suffered particularly heavy losses. Two weeks earlier, men of the 34th had played a crucial role in the capture of The Quarries, a key Russian earthwork guarding Sebastopol. This had involved charging over ground strewn with Russian fougasses, before holding the earthwork against four determined Russian counter-attacks. Consani was entitled to a Crimea Medal with clasps for Alma, Inkermann and Sebastopol. He transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Military Train in July 1856, with the rank of Corporal.

Though intended as a supply and transport corps, this unit saw much service as light cavalry during the Indian Mutiny. The 2nd Battalion was en route to China as the transport corps for that expedition, when it was diverted to Calcutta on news of the outbreak of the Mutiny. The men were mounted on the horses of the disbanded 8th Madras Light Cavalry. During the operations around Lucknow in January-March 1858 they comprised over half of Sir James Outram's cavalry. On 14 April, they joined the pursuit of Kunwar Singh's 13,000-strong rebel force to Azimghur on the Tons River. Two bridges over the Tons had to be crossed in full view of the enemy. This developed into a British pincer movement which forced the enemy to withdraw. A flying column was immediately sent over to try to capture Kunwar Singh. In a tense twelve-mile chase, Singh's rear guard was badly cut up by 'E' Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, led by Major J. E. Michell (see Lot 383, April 2019) and supported by the 2nd Battalion, Military Train. Three rebel guns were captured. During the pursuit the Military Train suffered eleven casualties, including four men killed in action. One of the latter was Corporal Consani (London Gazette, 28 July 1858). Two men of the Military Train, Private Morley and Farrier Murphy, received the Victoria Cross; sold with copied research, Roll confirmation and London Gazette entries.




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Sold for
£1,300

Starting price
£320