Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: School-Master Sergeant James Bryce, 3rd Bengal European Regiment

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Staff. Sergt. Jas. Bryce, 3rd Bengl. Eurpn. Regt.); Indian Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 2nd issue with ‘Anchor’ reverse (School Mr. Sergt. Jas. Bryce of the 3rd Eurn. Regt. 14th Jany. 1858) possible correction to surname, minor edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise good very fine and rare (2) £800-£1,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Peter Duckers.

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L.S.G.C. General Orders, Calcutta, 14 January 1858 (as ‘Boyce’): ‘a silver Medal immediately, and a gratuity equivalent to £15 on discharge, in addition to ordinary pension’. Surname corrected to ‘Bryce’ in General Orders of 15 March 1858.

The true origins of this scarce medal are unknown but it would appear that about 100 were struck in error by Wyon and sent out to India in 1859. They are known to have been issued to all three presidencies but the mistake was only discovered the following year by the Government of Bombay, by which time they had probably all been issued.

In 1873, in response to an India Office request to explain the ‘difference in design of the Medals for “Long Service and Good Conduct” and “Meritorious Service,” supplied to this Office, and those supplied to the War Office,’ Mr Wyon replied as requested but added ‘There is also a Naval Long Service Medal but it has probably never been used.’

Staff Sergeant James Bryce served with the 3rd Bengal European Regiment ‘in the Garrison of Agra and were present in one or more of the actions fought with Insurgents near that Station on the 5th of July, 24th August and 10th of October or in the operations at Sheregurh Ghat in May and advance towards Gwalior in June, 1858.’