Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Major Roderick Robertson, Bengal Army and Political Officer with the Hurrianah Field Force during the Indian Mutiny

Maharajpoor Star 1843 (Lieutt. R. Robertson 70th Regt. N.I. Offg. Intr. & Qr. Master of the 31st N.I.) officially engraved replacement for original medal lost in the Mutiny, original brass hook suspension; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Major Roderick Robertson.) fitted with silver ribbon buckle, extremely fine (2) £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals formed by the late Tim Ash.

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Roderick Robertson was born at Calcutta on 25 May 1814, and educated at London University and attended Addiscombe Military Seminary No. 12 of 1830. He arrived in India in September 1833 and was posted to the 70th Bengal Native Infantry. In January 1838 he was posted to the newly-raised 1st Cavalry, Oudh Auxiliary Force. Robertson was also employed in a Civil and Political capacity, being appointed Junior Assistant to the Commissioner of the Saugor Division in January 1840. He was Acting Instructor and Quartermaster to the 31st Native Infantry from January 1843 until 1845, during which period he accompanied that regiment in the Gwalior campaign and was present at the battle of Maharajpoor, 29 December 1843. He was posted in the same capacity to the 7th Light Cavalry in November 1845, and to the 56th N.I. in February 1846. Later that year he was placed at the disposal of the Lieutenant Governor, North West Provinces, and appointed to officiate as Commandant of the Delhi Palace Guard, this position being confirmed in April 1847.

Directed to rejoin his regiment, the 70th N.I., in October 1848, Robertson took part in the Punjab campaign of 1848-49, being present at the battles of Chilianwala and Goojerat. He was appointed Commissioner for the Cis-Sutlej States from December 1849, and Superintendent of the Bhuttee Territory from February 1852. When the Mutiny broke out in 1857, Robertson was compelled to take refuge, with his family, Putteala Territory, where, after reaching Ferozepore, he accompanied General Van Cortlandt’s Hurriana Field Force as Political Officer. This Force subsequently took part in the attack and defeat of mutineers and rebels at Aodah on 17 June 1857; fought with the rebels at Kyrekee on 19 June , and defeated the rebels at Hissar on 19 August. In September it stormed the village of Mungalee on 11 September, and defeated mutineers and rebels at Jamalpore on 13 September, besides other minor engagements. A detachment accompanied Brigadier Showers’ Column and were engaged at the action at Narnool. Much of the detail of the operations of this Force was reported in the Lahore Chronicle, perhaps even with contributions from Robertson himself, though the reports are unattributed. Robertson was described by a brother officer of the Force as ‘cruel hearted and the veriest poltroon’.

In consequence of the heat and exposure to which Robertson was subjected during this period his health was so broken that he was compelled to obtain leave to return to Europe and retired in January 1859. Prior to this he applied to the Secretary of the East India Company for duplicate medals to be issued to him in the following terms, ‘The medals and clasps which I had received for the battles of Maharajpoor, Chilianwala and Goojerat having been plundered with the remainder of my property at Sirsa I have the honour to request that you will solicit the Honourable Court of Directors to replace them.’ Major Roderick Robertson died at Worthing on 8 October 1869.

Sold with a comprehensive file of research including a copy of an article by Tim Ash published in the O.M.R.S. Journal for Summer 1991 and extensive extracts from the Lahore Chronicle.