Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Serjt. Major John McNamara, 3rd Bn. Bengal Art.) edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine and rare £400-£500

John McNamara, a groom from Kilkishen, County Clare, attested at Limerick in 1839 as a gunner, Horse Artillery, for life, and sailed for India on the Hindoostan.

In rank of Sergeant Major on medal roll which notes: ‘With Moveable Column under Brigadier Showers in Delhi district from 2nd October - 7th November. Lucknow. Promoted Ensign.’ Roll dated 1st October 1858, Meerut.

Stubbs’ List of Officers of the Bengal Army states: ‘J. McNamara. In India January 1839. Artillery Recruit. Sergeant Major 3rd Battalion. Ensign. Distinguished in several actions. 9th October 1858.’

During the Indian Mutiny there were eleven such promotion awards made to senior N.C.O’s of the H.E.I.C. Army. This recognition was given in the case of gallantry as they did not qualify for the award of the D.C.M.

This rare award was made eight days after the medal roll had been submitted, hence the rank of Sergeant Major and not Ensign on the medal.

By a letter from the Court of Directors, dated 26th April 1856, G.O. 3rd July, the Governor General in Council was authorised to confer upon European Warrant and Non Commissioned Officers who had distinguished themselves in action the rank of Ensign in the Infantry, unattached. This distinction was accompanied by a grant of 1,000 rupees in aid of the necessary outfit for a commissioned officer.

McNamara transferred to the Royal Artillery in 1862, as Ensign and Quartermaster 22nd Brigade R.A. He died at Agra Cantonments on 2 October 1864, aged 44.