Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce Indian Mutiny medal awarded to Private John Spillman, 3rd Battalion, Rifle Brigade, who served in the élite Camel Corps under Major John Ross

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 2 clasps, Lucknow, Central India (John. Spillman. 3rd Bn. Rifle Bde.) minor marks, otherwise good very fine £600-£800

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

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The Camel Corps was formed at Lucknow on 5 April 1858, from drafts of 100 men each from the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the Rifle Brigade, to which were eventually added 200 Sikhs. The Corps was commanded by Major (later General Sir, G.C.B.) John Ross.

The men were mounted on a camel each with a native to guide the animal. Camels were able to cover greater distances more quickly than men would have been able to cover on foot. Speeds of 3-4 miles per hour were usual, whilst exceptional speeds of up to 7 miles per hour were possible. Once in the vicinity of the enemy, the men would dismount in order to fight. Soon after formation, in May 1858, Sir Colin Campbell, Commander-in-Chief of the Army in India, declared the Camel Corps to be a corps d’élite.

The Camel Corps was used in 1858 and 1859 to support columns of soldiers despatched during the later stages of the 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 Bath in recognition of his services in command.

Note: John Spillman was also entitled to the India General Service medal with clasp for North West Frontier but recorded as unclaimed by 1889. He was discharged in May 1866 and since that medal was not issued until 1869, it would seem that he was unable to be traced and his medal remained unissued and ultimately returned to the Mint. Sold with copies of relevant medal rolls.