Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (J. Rowe, 2nd. Bn. Rifle Bde.) contact marks, very fine £300-£400

Joseph Rowe was born in Islington, Middlesex, on 22 January 1830 and attested for the Rifle Brigade on 22 January 1847. He served as an Acting Corporal with the 2nd Battalion in the Crimea, and on 22 April 1855 was part of a party of six men who, on their own initiative, attacked a fortified Russian position. The Russians had established themselves in rifle pits and were impeding the work of a new British battery: No orders had been given to deal with this position but action was badly needed. Corporal Winchcombe decided to take matters into his own hands and gathered together an acting Corporal and five riflemen from various companied who were on duty with the piquet, comprised of Acting Corporal Joseph Rowe, and Riflemen Arnitt, Bradshaw, Humpston, MacGregor and Perkins. The group crept close enough to the Russian position to charge it. As soon as they crossed the open, they received galling fire from the enemy riflemen. The men’s determination carried them on and they soon reached the rifle pit. Winchcombe was the first to reach it and set about attacking the Russians at the stone wall of the breastwork. This enabled Bradshaw, Humpston and MacGregor who had now reached him to enter the rifle pit. The Russians who were too slow to make their escape were killed by these three Riflemen. Acting Corporal Rowe and Riflemen Perkins were slightly wounded and Rifleman Humpston received a slight wound whilst fighting in the pit. Captain Foreman witnessed the action and recommended Winchcombe, Bradshaw, Humpston and MacGregor for the Distinguished Conduct Medal. However the Commander in Chief Lord Raglan refused this on the grounds ‘that the men had acted on their own initiative and without orders from a higher authority'. On returning to England Bradshaw, Humpston, and McGregor were awarded the Victoria Cross.

Rowe was severely wounded during the V.C. action, and having reverted to Private deserted on 20 May 1857. Re-joining on 4 November 1857, he saw further service in India during the Great Sepoy Mutiny. He was discharged at Calcutta on 3 February 1863, after 14 years and 150 days’ man’s service.

Sold with copied record of service; medal roll extracts; and other research.