Indian Mutiny Medal. No clasp (Qr Mr Serjt J. Brown, 7th Madras Cavalry)

Died: At Banda, 'In-the Field' on, 24May 1858 (during the Indian Mutiny). At the time of his death he was a Sub-Conductor of the Ordnance Department, Madras Army, attached to the Seetabuldee Arsenal, and at the time of his death 'In the Field' had been serving with the Ordnance Department of the 'Saugor Field Force' . See the Parish register transcripts from the Presidency of Madras, 1698-1948, held at The British Library, which includes details of the British troops, including Sub-Conductor Brown, who had died at Banda, while serving with the 'Saugor Field Force'

John Brown had drawn up his 'Last Will and Testament' on 18 January 1858, which document is held and accessible at The British Library

Medal verification: The medal and clasp confirmed as entitled per the respective campaign medal roll of the 7th Madras Light Cavalry (ref L/IL/5/97). The medal roll annotated to show that Quarter Master Sergeant John Brown qualified for the medal having served on active service and being:

Quote,

Present with the Kamptee Flying Column and Kamptee Column of Observation

Unquote.

Note: The Indian Mutiny Medal was only awarded to personnel who had served on active service in the field, and come 'Under Fire'

Only 15 x Indian Mutiny Medals - all no clasp - awarded to European Officers (11 x) & Warrant Officers (4 x inc Sergeant Major, Riding Master, Veterinary Sergeant & Quartermaster Sergeant). Indian & Eurasian 'All-ranks' were awarded an estimated 337 x medals

John Posford Brown, son of William & Brown, was a native of the parish of St. Mary's, Meldon, Esssex, England, where he was born on 1819. By trade a 'Clerk', on, 25 June 1839, John attested for un-limited service in the East India Company's Infantry, He joined the East India Company recruit depot at Brompton Barracks, Chatham, on, 30 July 1839, where he was allocated to the Madras Presidency. On 17 September 1839, he embarked on the 'Mermaid; bound for India - and never again returned to the United Kingdom. On arrival at Madras, he was appointed Corporal - indicating he had obtained some level of education - and posted to the 2nd Madras European Regiment. John was evidently a soldier of considerable ability, as he was he was quickly transferred to to the Madras Effective Supernumeraries' (i.e., Unattached List of the Madras Army) in the rank of Sergeant Major on, 16 January 1842

On 10 March 1841, Corporal John Posford Brown, Corporal 2nd European Light Infantry married Jane Turner (daughter of William 'Pensioner' & Elizabeth Turner, born, Bangalore, 28 December 1819, at Bangalore) at St. Marks Church Bangalore (Madras Presidency). Shortly after serving with the 7th Madras Light Cavalry 'In the Field' with the Kamptee Flying Column that deployed to the 'Deccan' to supress mutineers & rebels in the period 1857-58, he was appointed Conductor and posted to the Seetabuldee Arsenal. He s recorded to have died at, Banda, on, 24 May 1858. John bequeathed his entire estate to his widow, Jane Brown, who received payment from the HEIC authorities of Rupees

Sold together with some hard-copy photocopied research including medal roll extract pages & summary biographical / service details by Judith Farrington (wife of the former head of the India Office Records)

A rare seen medal to this particular regular cavalry regiment of the Madras Army - the descendent unit of which serves in 2022 with the Indian Army, as the 7th Light Cavalry (Armoured Corps)

Condition: About EF

Code: 22314