A Collection of Indian Mutiny Medals, the Property of a Gentleman

The Indian Mutiny Medal awarded to Corporal A. Consani, 2nd Battalion, Military Train, who was killed in action during the ‘Victoria Cross’ engagement at Azimghur on 15 April 1858

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 2 clasps, Relief of Lucknow, Lucknow (Corpl. A. Consani. 2nd. Bn. Mily. Train) nearly extremely fine £800-£1,200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Indian Mutiny Medals, the Property of a Gentleman.

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Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 2012.

Anthony Consani was born in Bristol in 1836, the son of an immigrant Italian model-maker from Tuscany, and attested for the 34th (Cumberland) Regiment of Foot in 1853, serving with the regiment throughout the Crimean War. He was slightly wounded at the first assault on the Redan on 18 June 1855, an action in which the 34th suffered particularly heavy losses; two weeks earlier, men of the 34th had played a crucial role in the capture of The Quarries, a key Russian earthwork guarding Sebastopol. This had involved charging over ground strewn with Russian fougasses, before holding the earthwork against four determined Russian counter-attacks. For his services Consani was entitled to a Crimea Medal with the clasps for Alma, Inkermann, and Sebastopol).

Consani transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Military Train in July 1856, with the rank of Corporal. Though intended as a supply and transport corps, this unit saw much service as light cavalry during the Great Sepoy Mutiny. The 2nd Battalion was en route to China as the transport corps for that expedition, when it was diverted to Calcutta on news of the outbreak of the Mutiny. The men were mounted on the horses of the disbanded 8th Madras Light Cavalry. During the operations around Lucknow in January-March 1858 they comprised over half of Sir James Outram’s cavalry. On 14 April, they joined the pursuit of Kunwar Singh’s 13,000-strong rebel force to Azimghur on the Tons River. Two bridges over the Tons had to be crossed in full view of the enemy. This developed into a British pincer movement which forced the enemy to withdraw. A flying column was immediately sent over to try to capture Kunwar Singh. In a tense twelve-mile chase, Singh’s rear guard was badly cut up by”E” Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, led by Major J. E. Michell, supported by the 2nd Battalion, Military Train. Three rebel guns were captured. During the pursuit the Military Train suffered eleven casualties, including four men killed in action, including Consani, who was killed in action on 15 April 1858. Two men of the Military Train, Private Morley and Farrier Murphy, received the Victoria Cross for this action.

The Calcutta Gazette of 23 April 1859 carried the following notice:
‘The Second Battalion, Military Train, is under orders for immediate embarkation for England. The career in India of this Corps has been short but brilliant and eminently serviceable to its country. Upon arrival at the Presidency, it was at once converted into a cavalry force and set into the field under the late Sir Henry Havelock. Throughout the glorious and most trying Summer campaign of which the relief of Lucknow was the fruit, the Military Train bore a part which would have reflected credit upon the most oldest and most experienced cavalry soldiers. It has since served with distinction in various affairs under Lieutenant General James Outram at the siege of Lucknow, in the operations about Azimghur, and lastly the harassing campaign in Shahabad.’

Sold with copied research.