Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The very rare 4-clasp Indian Mutiny medal to Corporal John Enright Bengal Artillery, who is mentioned in his regimental papers as having distinguishing himself at Delhi, Bolundshahur, Agra, Relief of Lucknow (wounded), Cawnpore 1858, Shamshabad, Calpee and Birwah; he served a total 33 years 193 days with the Bengal and Royal Artilleries and was pensioned with the rank of Conductor of Ordnance.

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 4 clasps, Delhi, Relief of Lucknow, Lucknow, Central India (Corpl. John Enright, 1st Bn. Bengal Art.) very fine and rare £4,000-£5,000

Only 50 four-clasp medals to Europeans were issued during the Mutiny, all to the 3rd Company 1st Battalion Bengal Artillery.

Corporal John Enright served throughout the mutiny with the 3rd Company, 1st Battalion Bengal Artillery. He was wounded at the Relief of Lucknow resulting from a gun shot wound to the left calf on 17 November 1857. His services in the field state that he was mentioned on numerous occasions, distinguishing himself at the actions of: siege and capture of Delhi, action at Bolundshahur, action at Agra, the 2nd Relief of Lucknow, 2nd battle of Cawnpore, action at Shamshabad, capture of Calpee and capture of Birwah. He was further engaged in the actions of Badli-ki-Serai, affair at Trimoo Ghat, skirmish at Bantara, battle of Gulauli, action at Jamo and capture of Ruiya.

In 1908 the Indian Government created the L/MIL/14 series to collate the service papers of all European NCO's and Warrant officers of the British Army in India. Although Enright died in 1900 his service record was retained by the authorities and appears within this collection.

John Enright was born in the Parish of Raheen, County Limerick on 18 September 1831, the son of John Enright. He attested at Limerick to serve as a Gunner in the Bengal Artillery on 27 September 1851, and was given the Regimental No. 7292. He was described as a labourer aged 20, of fresh complexion, hazel eyes and just over six feet tall. He received a bounty of four pounds.
He sailed on the Agincourt arriving in India on 30 October 1852. He was advanced Bombardier, 10 August 1855; Corporal, 28 November 1855; and Sergeant ,11 September 1858. Entitled to 2 years service as per G.G.O. of 12 October 1859. He volunteered for service with the British Army as Sergeant on 30 April 1861, with Regimental Number 446, and re-engaged for a further 9 years to complete 21 years service on 27 September 1861.

On 25 March 1865, while serving with No. 5 Sub Division, 16th Brigade, E Battery R.A., at Allahabad, he was found guilty by Court Martial of Neglect of Duty and was reduced to the rank and pay of a Gunner. The sentence was immediately remitted by the Commanding Officer, Colonel George Bourchier, C.B., with whom Enright had served with such distinction during the mutiny. On 18 April 1865, Bourchier was not so lenient as Enright was brought before a second Court Martial and again charged with Neglect of Duty. He was duly reduced to the rank and pay of a Gunner and forfeited all Good Conduct pay.

He was placed on the Unattached List on 19 June 1867; promoted back to Sergeant, 1 July 1868; advanced to Sub-Conductor on probation, 27 October 1873, transferring to the Fort William Arsenal on 15 January 1874; Officiating Conductor, 16 June 1875, and Conductor, 16 January 1878.

He first married Matilda Crowne on 10 August 1869, at Saugor stating his occupation as Magazine Sergeant. Matilda died at Lucknow on 4 January 1871. On 24 May 1871, he married the widow Anastasia Carroll nee Tinmoor (sic) at St. Patrick's Chapel, Fort William. He was granted furlough to Europe for two years commencing 20th March 1881.

He is shown on the 1881 census as being on board H.M.S. Crocodile at Chatham together with his wife and two children, namely Thomas and Margaret Mary. Two children from Anastasia's first marriage namely Michael and Mary Jane Carroll are also listed.
Enright returned to India 6th April 1882 and was posted to the Allahabad Arsenal, transferring to the Fort William Arsenal 26th April 1882. He was transferred to the Pension establishment with effect from 10 April 1883, and took his pension of £85.00 per annum in Ireland. He died on 15 April 1900, at 40 Catherine Street, Limerick, of Bronchial Asthma and is buried at the Mount St. Lawrence Cemetery. His pension records show that he was married to Mary indicating that Anastasia had either died or they had divorced.

Sold with a complete set of Service papers including full transcripts of his courts martial and medical record together with an article about the 3rd Company, 1st Battalion during the mutiny taken from the Indian Military Historical Society Magazine, Durbar, in which Enright is mentioned.