Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 7012 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 36

Documentation relating to a VC Winner A large file of papers relating to William Fraser McDonnell, who won one of only four awards of the Victoria Cross to civilians during the Indian Mutiny, including a manuscript copy of the citation, the London Gazette entry dated 20 Jan 1860, typed copies of McDonnell´s account, and other reports of the incident, extracts from the East India Register listing McDonnell´s appointments, his will, photographs of his grave, etc; together with a large Warrant on parchment, 22in. x 30in, dated 8th June 1878, appointing McDonnell to be a High Court Judge in India, complete with its wax seal (now detached) some 6in. in diameter, in its cylindrical metal case; and a photograph of a painting of McDonnell winning his VC, in a modern gilt frame, 9 1/2in. x 8 1/4in. overall (3) Note: William McDonnell was attached to an expedition to relieve a small garrison at Arrah. During the retreat from there it was necessary to cross a river by boat. When it was discovered that mutineers had immobilised these boats by lashing their rudders to the hulls, McDonnell, under heavy fire, climbed on to one of the boats and succeeded in freeing the rudder, enabling it to be steered, and thereby, according to the citation, saved thirty five European soldiers from certain death. Estimate £ 180-250

Sold for
£150