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Auction: 22075 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 88

Pair: Sergeant J. Ashmole, 78th Highlanders

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Persia (Corpl J. Ashmole, 78th Highlanders); Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 2 clasps, Lucknow, Defence of Lucknow (Serjt J, Ashmole, 78th Highlanders), about very fine (2)

The 78th (Highlanders) Regiment of Foot was, along with the 32nd Foot, arguably one of the most famous regiments to emerge from the chaos of the Indian Mutiny. After participation in the Battle of Khushab (February 1857) during the brief Anglo-Persian War, they were swiftly redeployed to India to suppress the Sepoy Mutiny. The regiment won no fewer than eight Victoria Crosses during this campaign, their stout defence of the Residency at Lucknow earned them the accolade of 'the saviour of British India' - feats that included later immortalisation in stirring poems by John Greenleaf Whittier and Alfred, Lord Tennyson. After many years on campaign, the 78th finally returned home in 1859 - not for John Ashmole however, who appears to have found India to his liking as he is noted as transferring to the 56th (West Essex) Regiment of Foot in order to remain in that country; this regiment were to remain there until 1866. Ashmole's clasps for his Mutiny service are confirmed upon the Medal Roll.

Purchased Glendining's, July 1946, ex-Dalrymple-White Collection.

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Sold for
£2,200