Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 2 clasps, Lucknow, Central India (Serjt. Robt. Hartin, 2nd Bn. Rifle Bde.) nearly extremely fine £600-£800

Robert Hartin was born at Edmonton, London, in 1836, and enlisted into the 2nd Battalion of the Rifle Brigade at Westminster on 26 February 1855. He was promoted to Corporal in June 1855 and to Sergeant in July 1857. After the capture of Lucknow, he was, from 5 April 1858, assigned to the Camel Corps, formed from two companies, each of 4 officers and 100 men, drawn from the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the Rifle Brigade, together with 200 Sikhs, the whole under the command of Major John Ross, of the Rifle Brigade.

In a letter to Major Ross, Sir Colin Campbell described the unit as a ‘corps d’élite’, and enjoined him to pick men carefully, as they would be called upon to undertake a great deal of independent action. The Camel Corps was used in 1858-59 to support columns of soldiers despatched during the latter stages of the Indian Mutiny to hunt down groups of rebels that had fled into the countryside of Rohilkund and Oudh, east of Delhi. Long marches would frequently be undertaken in extremely hot weather. Often the rebels would give their pursuers the slip. In the words of the newly-promoted Lieutenant-Colonel Ross:
‘We had lots of hard, tedious work, and never once all the time I was in command had I to speak a second time to either officers or men. Each seemed to take pleasure in doing what he had to do and in assisting me in every way.’

The Camel Corps was disbanded on 1 June 1860, just over two years after it was formed. Colonel Ross was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in recognition of his services in command.

Sergeant Hartin was discharged at Winchester on 29 July 1861, on payment of £20. He took part in the ‘Golden Commemoration of the Indian Mutiny Veterans at the Royal Albert Hall, Decr. 23rd 1907’, and died on 13 November 1931, aged 95 years.