Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 20002 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Space Exploration
Lot: 63

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Alexr. Ferris, 54th Regt.), very fine

Alexander Ferris joined the Northumberland Militia in February 1853 and was released from service in April 1855 to enlist in the Depot Company of the 54th Regiment. He embarked aboard the ill-fated Sarah Sands, bound for India, in August 1857, and thus became embroiled in one of the epic shipwrecks of Victorian times.

The Sarah Sands, with 368 officers and men of the 54th Regiment, together with women and children, a total complement of some 500 persons including the ship’s crew, sailed from Portsmouth on 15 August 1857. During the course of the voyage the crew became mutinous and many of them were locked in irons below deck. On 7 November a squall carried away the foremost of the vessel's four masts but on 11 November a more serious disaster occurred when a fire broke out some days after leaving Cape Town. For 18 hours the troops and loyal members of the crew fought the fire with admirable discipline. The women and children were successfully lowered in the boats to safety whilst the mutinous sailors deserted in the ship's long boat. The gallantry of the 54th, together with the petty officers and engineers who had remained on board, in fighting the fire and the subsequent powder explosion is a matter of record. The regimental colours, kept in the saloon, were saved by the bravery of half a dozen volunteers who reached them after repeated attempts. Several casks of powder blew up most of the ship aft of the mainmast but in the process also blew away much of the burning woodwork, enabling the fire to be finally extinguished. Without loss of life, the Sarah Sands reached Port Louis, Mauritius, after being adrift for 12 days. Many soldiers had been terribly burned, their uniforms having been almost scorched from their bodies by the intense heat and flames of the fire. Of the original strength of the 54th only 151 remained fit enough to proceed to India and earn the medal for service during the Mutiny.

Ferris was amongst those fit for action and he was present at Allahabad by 8 March 1858. On 11 March, No. 5 Company and the Light Company - Ferris included - were attached into Oude and served in the Column Commanded by Colonel Whistler, including the attack on the jugle fort at Tyrhoul and Dahein. Moved onto Sirhoul they also went to the fort of Amethie and occupied it, capturing 22 guns and plenty more ammunition. Several other actions occured and most of the rebels in the Oude region were now in safe hands.

Serving thence in Ireland and again in India in 1871, he was discharged at Netley in 1876 and was awarded a pension to go with a well-deserved L.S. & G.C.; sold together with a detailed file of copied research with numerous extracts and rolls.


Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£600

Starting price
£480