Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A C.B. group of five awarded to Honorary Lieutenant-General John Jocelyn Bourke, late 88th Regiment; latterly Colonel of the Essex Regiment

The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with swivel ring straight bar suspension and buckle on ribbon; Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Major The Honble. John Jocelyn Bourke, 88th Regt.) privately engraved naming; India Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Central India (Major Hon. J. J. Bourke, 88th Regt.); Turkey, Order of Medjidie, 5th Class breast badge of the ‘Crimea period’, silver gold and enamel; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, contemporary copy (Major The Honble. John Jocelyn Bourke, 88th Regt.) naming faint, swivel ring suspension, lacquered, contact marks, some edge bruising, very fine and better (5)
£1800-2200

John Jocelyn Bourke was born on 5 October 1823, the second son of the 5th Earl of Mayo. He entered the Army as an Ensign on 21 May 1841 and advanced to Lieutenant in July 1842 and Captain in July 1849. As a Captain he transferred to the 88th Regiment in 1851 and was an A.D.C. to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, 1852-54. With the 88th Regiment, he served in the Crimea War, being present at the battles of Alma and Inkermann and the siege of Sebastopol. During the campaign he served as A.D.C. to Lord William Paulet. For his services he was awarded the Order of Medjidie 5th Class and in May 1856 he was promoted to Major. Major Bourke then served in the suppression of the Indian Mutiny, serving at the action at Bhoquapore, the siege and capture of Calpee and the siege of Lucknow. He was twice mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 22 April 1858 and 31 January 1859) and in April 1859 received the brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel. He was placed on Half Pay as a Lieutenant-Colonel in June 1860, being advanced to Colonel in March 1867; Major-General in October 1877. He retired with the honorary rank of Lieutenant-General in October 1882. On 30 March 1897 he was appointed Colonel of the Essex Regiment. General Bourke was awarded the C.B. on the fiftieth anniversary (1904) of the Crimea War. He died at 21 Cambridge Square, London, on 25 September 1904, aged 81 years. Sold with copied will and service details.