Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Ensign D. O’Donnell, 67th N.I.) note initial and spelling of surname, very fine £300-£400

Provenance: Wadey Collection, J. B. Hayward, September 1968.

Connel O’Donnel was born at Nusseerabad on 16 June 1837, and was educated at Edinburgh Academy by Rev. C. Roper, and Rev. Charles Hughes at St Johns Wood. Nominated for the H.E.I.C. Army by Robert Vernon Smith and recommended by Mrs Charlotte Bouverie, he was examined and passed as a Cadet on 17 December 1856. He travelled overland to India in December 1856 and arrived there on 3 February 1857, being posted to the 67th Bengal Native Infantry.

He was present at the disarming and disbanding of the 67th Bengal Native Infantry. At Agra he served with the Volunteer Cavalry until 5 June 1857, when he was then appointed to the Volunteer Infantry. He was present at Sussia, 5th July, against the Neemuch mutineers, at Alligurh, 24th August (Maun Singh’s Garden) and at the battle of Agra, 10 October 1857 (Medal). He served as Staff Officer with the force under Major Montgomery and was mentioned in his despatch to Lieutenant-Colonel Cotton for the engagement with insurgents at Main Singh’s Garden, 24 August 1857:

‘I attribute the success of the action to the co-ordination and assistance I received from the Civil Authorities and the Officers and men under my command, and my best thanks are due to Ensign C. O’Donnel, 67th Native Infantry, who, during the march and in the field assisted me very greatly.’

Promoted to Lieutenant in June 1858, he served in China in 1860 with the 8th Punjab Infantry and was present at Sinho, capture of Tangchow, Taku Forts and surrender of Pekin (Medal with 2 clasps). He served in the Bhootan campaign of 1865 as Sub Assistant Commissary General (Medal with clasp). He was promoted Captain in December 1868 and Major in December 1876. He served also in Southern Afghanistan from 15 September 1880, and was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in December 1882. He died at Mean Meer on 22 January 1884.