Awards to Civilians from the Collection of John Tamplin

The Lushai campaign medal awarded to Mr R. B. McCabe, Political Officer in the North Lushai Hills

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Lushai 1889-92 (Mr. R. B. McCabe, Pol. Officer North Lushai Hills) some rubbing to rim, otherwise good very fine £300-350

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Awards to Civilians from the Collection of John Tamplin.

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Robert Blair McCabe was born in about 1854, and educated at Victoria College in Jersey. He entered the Indian Civil Service after an open competitive examination in 1874, arrived in India in November 1876, and was posted to Assam. He moved to the sudder station at Dibrugarh in December 1876, and was appointed Assistant Commissioner, 3rd Grade, in January 1877, and as Sub-Registrar of the sudder Sub-Division of Lakhimpore in the following June.

McCabe was in charge of the Sub-Division of Jaipore in Lakhimpore from March 1878, was shortly afterwards appointed a J.P., and also officiated as an Assistant Commissioner, 2nd Grade. He became Assistant Inspector of Immigrants at Lakhimpore in December 1878. In 1884 he was promoted Deputy Commissioner, 4th Grade; in about 1891 he became 3rd Grade, and 2nd Grade a year later. Finally he was appointed Deputy Commissioner, 1st Grade, in 1896. Also in that year he became Inspector-General of the Police Department, Commissioner of Excise, Superintendent of Stamps, and Inspector-General of Registration.

Shortly after his arrival in India, McCabe was sent to take charge of the savage tribes of the Naga Hills, and he arrived in Kohima immediately after the murder of his predecessor. The Chief Commissioner, who visited the Naga Hills some years later, said that the work which McCabe had done ‘in civilising the Angami Nagas and spreading among them a spirit of loyalty and content is unprecedented’. On a number of occasions when an outbreak occurred, McCabe was responsible for restoring order again; notably at the forts of Aijal and Changsil when they were attacked by the Lushais, and the Political Officer, Captain Ulick Browne, was killed. Hearing of this, McCabe immediately left for the frontier where he met the Chief Commissioner and later restored peace. Also at Mugaldai when a serious outbreak occurred, and the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Anderson, and Mr Berrington, commanding the military police, were attacked. The police were obliged to open fire and killed several of the rioters.

On another outbreak in the Barpeta sub-division, McCabe at once started for the scene of the disturbances, where he led the police in a charge that dispersed a mob of some 6000 rioters who had blockaded the Extra-Assistant Commissioner. In the Kamrup district McCabe was attacked by a mob who he managed to disperse by threatening the leaders with his revolver.

In ‘the difficulties with the Lushais’ he showed great bravery and judgement. This was in connection with the expedition under Captain G. H. Lock, from March to June 1892, necessitated by the general rising of the Eastern Lushais and the attack at Lulbura upon a force under McCabe. For his services here, McCabe received the India medal with clasp ‘Lushai 1889-92’.

In January and February 1897, McCabe, as Political Officer, accompanied the expedition to exact reparation for the raid committed on the frontier of North Lakhimpore. The objects of the expedition were to secure the release of the captives and to punish the actual perpetrators of the murders which had taken place. McCabe succeeded in the release of the captives and brought the expedition to a successful close, which the Chief Commissioner described as ‘principally due to Mr McCabe’s judgement and patience, combined with firmness and good temper, displayed at the most critical moment, peace being obtained without bloodshed or burning of villages, the usual accompaniments of frontier forays.’

Deputy Commissioner McCabe was killed in the earthquake at Shillong on 12 June 1897, when his house collapsed. He was 43 years of age. In the London Gazette of 29 June 1897, the following notice appeared: ‘It had been the Queen’s intention to confer a Companionship of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India on the late Mr Robert Blair McCabe, Indian Civil Service, in recognition of his services in Assam, and of his work of exceptional merit among the wild tribes of the North-East Frontier of India.’ Two memorials were raised to his memory. One in Shillong Cemetery, and the other a memorial drinking fountain at Kohima. Sold with further research including an original obituary from The Times.