Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Ensign. M. Millett, 42nd. Highlanders) minor edge bruising, otherwise good very fine £600-£800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from a Mutiny Collection.

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Provenance: George McIlroy Collection.

Montague Millett was born at Droxford, Hampshire, on 14 March 1840, the son of Charles Millett, Esq., of the China Civil Service, and was educated at Rugby School. Nominated for the Honourable East India Company’s Army, he was Commissioned Ensign on 4 September 1857, and arrived in India on 16 October 1857, aged 17. Attached to the 42nd Royal Highlanders, he served with them at the action of Khooda Gunge, near Futtygurgh under Lord Clyde; the affair of Shumshahbad under Brigadier Sir Adrian Hope; the Siege and Capture of Lucknow in March 1858; the attack on Fort Rooyeah under Brigadier Sir Hugh Walpole; the action at Allygunge; the attack and capture of Bareilly; and the engagement at Sissa Ghat, in Philbeet Jungles under Sir H. Walpole.

Millett was subsequently appointed Duty Officer Kumaon Levy on 27 July 1859, and served there until its disbandment in 1861. He was later Barrack Master at Gondah, Lucknow, before being appointed to the 16th Native Infantry on 22 April 1864, transferring to the 6th Native Infantry on 6 June 1864. Promoted Captain on 24 April 1868, he later served as Assistant District Superintendent of Police in the Delhi, Kurnal and Rohtuck Districts.

Millett was promoted Major on 5 October 1874; Lieutenant-Colonel on 31 October 1875; and Colonel in the 43rd Native Infantry (as the 6th Native Infantry was also numbered) on 1 July 1881. He retired with the honorary rank of Major-General on 1 January 1893, and died at Mooltan on 27 February 1901.

Note: On the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny the Cadets of the H.E.I.C. Forces, mostly boys of sixteen or seventeen (including Millett), known universally throughout India as ‘Griffins’ or ‘Little Griffs’, were attached to various British Regiments, as most of the units they were to have joined, had mutinied. They are not to be found in the British Army Lists of the period, and are only traceable through the East India Registers.

Sold with copied research, including details of the work of the moveable Christian Mission that was set up by the recipient.