Naval and Indian Marine Medals from the Collection of John Tamplin

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Master’s Asst. T. R. Merewether. Pearl) good very fine £600-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Naval and Indian Marine Medals from the Collection of John Tamplin.

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Edward T. R. Merewether was serving as Master’s Assistant of H.M.S. Pearl at the time of the Indian Mutiny in 1857-59. He left the Pearl on 16 October 1858 to join the Brigade up country under Captain E. S. Sotheby.

On 2 December 1858, intelligence was received from the Commissioner of Goruckpore that Mahomed Hussein, with a force of between 2000-3000 men and six guns, had moved up north from Bungaon and had arrived on the previous day at Bururriah, near the Raptee, and nine miles to the westward of the British camp on the south bank of the river. At dawn on the 3rd, Brigadier Rowcroft, commanding the Goruckpore Field Force, marched to Bururriah, getting there at about 8 a.m. The enemy did did not appear to have expected this advance, though his outlying pickets gave him early warning. Rowcroft at once formed line with his skirmishers out, and moved forward to the attack. The Naval Brigade was not strongly represented on this occasion, 70 men only with two howitzers, three detachments with six guns being away watching the ghats. Captain Sotheby, in his despatch dated Camp, Burgudwah, North Oude, December 31, 1858, to the Secretary of the Admiralty, said: ‘Lieutenant Fawkes, assisted by Mr Merewether, Master’s Assistant, was in charge of the guns, and Lieutenant Pym was with the skirmishers; and having three detachments away with six guns, watching the ghats, I was unable to have a larger number in the field.’

Brigadier Rowcroft was ordered to attack the rebels who were in great force at Toolseepore on 23 December. This he did, the Naval Brigade also being present. Captain Sotheby reported in his despatch: ‘The heavy guns were in the centre and rear with Commander Grant, assisted by Mr Merewether, the mortars were in charge of Lieutenant Pym and his marines. The rest of the officers not absent on duty were present, including Dr Shone, Assistant Surgeon, Mr Stephenson, Midshipman (my aide-de-camp); all of whom, with their men, exerted themselves most zealously and did their utmost to bring the heavy guns to the front across rice fields with high ridges.’

This was the last action in which the Pearl’s Brigade participated, although it had some more heavy marching to do before receiving orders to return to the ship, which were received on 1 January 1859. Merewether was one of 22 officers to receive the medal for service with Pearl’s Brigade. His name is given as ‘Edward’ T. R. Merewether on the India Office roll, although his first name is not recorded on his medal.