Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Kingsford Burr, M.D.) toned, extremely fine £400-£500

Provenance: Spink 1970.

Kingsford Burr graduated from Edinburgh University on 1 August 1846. In December 1855 Doctor Burr took medical charge of the Jaipur Agency. Soon afterwards he established a number of medical institutions at Jaipur with the approval of Maharaja Ram Singh, the ruler of the state. During the mutiny, according to the medal roll, he was ‘in charge of a detachment of the 30th Bengal Native Infantry and Kotah Contingent and the Jeypore Field force under Captain Eden at Kotah. With Captain Daly in pursuit of Jullundar Mutineers.’

Burr is mentioned in several reports and publications concerned with the history of Jaipur state and his influence on medical arrangements and advances in the state:

‘Vaccination was introduced at the end of the 1860’s by Doctor Burr.’

‘Dr Burr (1857-1872) the Agency Surgeon as well as Superintendent of the State Medical Institutions conducted a medical school in which youths were trained for work in the country towns.’

‘Dr John Murray Inspector General of Hospitals, who inspected the college [in Jaipur] in July 1867, reported that the Maharaja has displayed an earnest desire to introduce a European Medical scheme into Rajputana much in advance of the people. Dr Burr has shown great energy and zeal in conducting the Jeypore Medical Establishment.’

Dr Kingsford Burr died at Hove, Sussex, on 10 August 1900.