Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Jas. French, A.B. Shannon) minor edge bruising, otherwise better than very fine £500-600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Naval and Indian Marine Medals from the Collection of John Tamplin.

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James French served in the Crimean campaign aboard H.M.S. Valorous, a 16-gun frigate commanded by Captain C. M. H. Buckle, and received the Crimea medal with Sebastopol clasp, and the Turkish Crimea medal. Rated as an Able Seaman he served in H.M.S. Shannon with the Naval Brigade during the Indian Mutiny under the command of Captain William Peel, V.C., C.B., Royal Navy.

He took part in the Brigade’s first action at Khujwa when a strong force of mutineers was signally defeated on 1 November 1857. In this action French was severely wounded by a gunshot in front of the ankle joint, the ball passing right through. The Naval Brigade had 3 ratings killed or mortally wounded, and three officers and eleven ratings wounded. Her Majesty’s 53rd Regiment suffered badly in this action with 12 killed, including their commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel T. S. Powell, C.B. James French was consequently invalided to Calcutta on 7 May 1858. Approximately 66 no clasp medals were issued to the Shannon.