Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Defence of Lucknow (Drumr. J. Loader, 32nd. L.I.) minor edge bruise, about extremely fine £600-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to Musicians formed by the Late Llewellyn Lord.

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Jonathan Loader served with the 32nd Foot during the Indian Mutiny, and took part in the original Defence of Lucknow. The 32nd Foot were involved at the disastrous Battle of Chinhut, 30.6.1857, when Sir Henry Lawrence, on hearing of the fall of Cawnpore, led his men out of Lucknow to meet the much larger rebel army. Casualties for the Battle were 118 Europeans and 182 loyal Indian soldiers killed or missing. As a result of having his force so severely weakened, Lawrence ordered the entire Lucknow force to retire to the Residency. Mortally wounded two days later during the Defence of the Residency, his last words were ''to ask the poor fellows who I exposed at Chinhut to forgive me. Bid them remember Cawnpore and never surrender.'' Loader himself died on 8 December 1857.