Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Major-General C. V. Jenkins, 47th Bengal Native Infantry

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Lieut. C. V. Jenkins 47th Beng. N.I.); China 1857-60, no clasp (Lieutenant C. V. Jenkins 47th Bl. N.I.); Empress of India Medal 1877, silver, unnamed as issued, minor contact marks and edge bruises, otherwise good very fine (3) £1500-1800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Awards to the Indian Army from the Collection of AM Shaw.

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Sold with original Government of India letter, dated 5 January 1877, transmitting the Empress of India Medal to Colonel Jenkins, in acknowledgement of his ‘services as Political Officer in charge of the Maharaja of Kashmir on the occasion of the Imperial Assemblage.’

Charles Vernon Jenkins was born in Calcutta on 5 April 1830, and was educated in classics and mathematics at the Rev. J. E. Bromley’s School in England. He was commissioned as Ensign on 20 January 1848 and posted to the 47th Bengal Native Infantry, being promoted to Lieutenant in October 1851. On 5 June 1857, caught up in the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny, Jenkins, attached to the 2nd Oudh Infantry at Sultanpore, together with his wife and family and 35 other ladies, gentlemen and children, arrived at Mulloopore, about 26 miles from Allahabad, where they were attacked by a mob of hostile villagers. They were recognized by Sepoys Shiunath Upadhya and Janki Upadhya of the 47th N.I., who were returning from furlough, and at once came to their aid and brought them food and supplies. When the approach of a swarm of insurgents made it necessary for the refugees to split up into small parties, these faithful Brahman Sepoys offered to procure Hindustani clothing for Lieutenant Jenkins and his family, and to smuggle them in disguise into Mirzapore. This was rendered unnecessary by the action of a loyal Zemindar, Munshi Ajit Singh, who provided the fugitives with dhoolies, camels and elephants, and an escort of 150 men to Allahabad. But until they reached their destination, these two loyal brothers were untiring in their efforts to get them supplies, especially milk for the ladies and children. For their devotion in this perilous situation, both Sepoys were promoted to Havildar and received the Indian Order of Merit. Jenkins afterwards served with the 47th, who had remained loyal during the Mutiny, in the campaign in China.

Promoted to Captain in February 1861, his subsequent appointments were mainly of a staff and political nature. He became Major in January 1868 and Lieutenant-Colonel in January 1874. In 1877, when Quenn Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India, Jenkins was assigned to the important post of Political Officer to the entourage of the Maharaja of Kashmir at the celebrations in Delhi. In 1878 he was the Deputy Commander at Sialkote and was, the following year, promoted to Colonel and assigned to the Punjab Commission. He was Deputy Commander at Dharamsala from 1882 until December 1885, when he was promoted to Major-General and retired.