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

The Indian Mutiny Medal awarded to Lieutenant, later Major-General, R. Aislabie, Bengal Artillery, who was one of five officers to escape from Delhi at the outbreak of the Mutiny and subsequent massacre, 11 May 1857, coming under fire from the rebels whilst removing two remaining guns to the Flagstaff Tower

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Delhi (Lieut. R. Aislabie. 3rd. Bn. Bengal Art.) very 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: John Tamplin Collection, Sotheby’s, February 1985.

Rawson Aislabie was born in Richmond, Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania, Australia), on 19 July 1835, the eldest son of the Rev. William Aislabie, and the grandson of Benjamin Aislabie, the well-known cricketer who served as Secretary of he M.C.C., and was educated at Chigwell Grammar School. He entered Addiscombe as a Cadet in Summer 1852 and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Bengal Artillery on 8 June 1854. Posted to the 3rd Battalion stationed at Meerut, he subsequently served with the 7th Battalion stationed at Cawnpore.

Aislabie was one of the few British officers who formed part of the original garrison at Delhi on 11 May 1857 when, upon the arrival of the mutinous 3rd Bengal Light Cavalry from Meerut, open rebellion broke out in the city. The Sepoy Mutiny, bu Colonel E. Vibart, states:
‘The day [11 May 1857] was wearing on, and we were anxiously awaiting instructions from the Brigadier in cantonments, when about 1 p.m. we were reinforced by 150 men of the 74th Native Infantry under Major Abbott, and two more guns under Lieutenant Aislabie. Their arrival was hailed with delight.
About this period an order came from the Brigadier recalling Major Abbott’s detachment and the two guns under Lieutenant Aislabie. The Deputy Collector on this begged for a short delay, saying he would himself ride up to the cantonments and point out to the Brigadier the necessity of the 74th remaining at the Cashmere Gate. The two guns meanwhile, under Lieutenant Aislabie, proceeded back to the cantonments in obedience to orders. On their reaching the cross roads which leads direct to the Flagstaff Tower, Captain de Tessier sounded the bugle for them to go up and join him, but as this signal was not noticed he mounted his horse and galloped after them. Meanwhile the guns had neared a portion of the ridge where a picket of the 38th Native Infantry was posted, who no sooner saw them approach than they fired several shots at Lieutenant Aislabie, forcing him to ride for his life, and then seizing the guns, leisurely marched off to the Cashmere Gate.’

Kaye and Malleson, in their History of the Indian Mutiny, give further information:
‘Major Abbott, on gaining intelligence of the defection of the 38th, and doubtful conduct of the 54th, mounted his horse, hastened to the Lines of his regiment, and addressed his men. He told them that the time had come for them to prove that they were true and loyal soldiers; and he called for volunteers to accompany him down to the Kashmir Gate. There was not a man there who did not come to the front; and when the order was given to load, they obeyed it with befitting alacrity. Then they marched down, with two more guns, under Lieutenant Aislabie, and about midday were welcomed by Paterson and his party at the Main-guard.’

Following his actions at the Kashmir Gate, Aislabie continued to serve throughout the Great Sepoy Mutiny with the Delhi Field Force, and took part in the action on the Hindun River, 30-31 May; the battle of Badli-ki-Serai 8 June; and the assault of Delhi, 14 September, when his guns accompanied the column led by Brigadier John Nicholson. The History of the Indian Mutiny, by Kaye and Malleson states:
‘When the third column entered the city through the Kashmir Gate, the two remaining guns, under Lieutenant Aislabie, joined Nicholson’s column just as it had been compelled to retire to the Kabul Gate, and assisted in all the subsequent fighting of that column until the capture of the Lahore gate.’

Aislabie was promoted Lieutenant on 28 September 1857, and after the capture of Delhi he formed part of the column despatched in October to reduce the country around the city. Remaining in India following the Mutiny he was promoted Captain in the Royal (Bengal) Artillery on 11 November 1863; Manor on 1 August 1872; and Lieutenant-Colonel on 31 December 1878. Returning to the U.K. he was appointed Officer Commanding Auxiliary Artillery, Lancashire Division, Royal Garrison Artillery (Northern Command) in 1881, and retired with the honorary rank of Major-General on 11 March 1885. He died in London on 24 April 1890.

Sold with copied research including a portrait photograph of the recipient.