Medals from the Collection of Gordon Everson

A Crimea and Indian Mutiny group of three to Private James Meade, 6th Dragoon Guards

Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Pte. Jas. Meade, 6th Dn. Gds.) contemporary engraved naming, suspension rod replaced; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Jas. Meade, 6th Dragn. Gds.) suspension claw replaced; Turkish Crimea, Sardinian issue (Pte. Jas. Meade, 6th Dn. Gds.) contact marks and edge bruising, therefore good fine (3) £250-300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Gordon Everson.

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James Meade was born in London, and enlisted there into the 7th Dragoon Guards on 30 March 1854. He transferred to the 6th Dragoon Guards on 1 July 1855, to help fill their ranks prior to their departure to the Crimea. Balaklava was reached on 14 August and Meade’s Troop, commanded by Captain Wardlow, subsequently embarked with the brigade sent to capture Fort Kinburn, which was achieved after a naval bombardment in October. Shortly afterwards the 6th Dragoon Guards embarked for Eupatoria, where they were constantly in the field for six weeks. Returning to Scutari for the winter, the regiment returned to England in the following May.

Meade’s Troop embarked in the Agamemnon for India in August 1856, arriving there at the end of November. In March 1857 the regiment arrived at Meerut where they joined the 60th Rifles as the only British regiments at that station. It was at Meerut, on Sunday 10th May, that the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny took place, when the 3rd Light Cavalry rose in revolt and proceeded to Delhi. Whilst the Right Wing of the 6th Dragoon Guards proceeded to Delhi, Meade’s Troop remained at Meerut with the Left Wing under Colonel Jones. This wing saw numerous smaller actions and a squadron under Captain Wardlow accounted for more than 200 of the enemy under the Rajah of Maligarh on 29 July. In November the same squadron joined a force from Delhi and, on the 16th, at Jungari, near Narnoul, took part in a glorious charge against a force of enemy cavalry which met them fairly. In this action Private James Meade was severely wounded.

Meade had recovered from his wounds by May 1858 when he was with the two squadrons of the regiment that marched from Bareilly to the relief of the 82nd Regiment, surrounded by a large rebel force at Shahjehanpur. After a long and arduous march, the Carabiniers took part in a gallant charge and drove the rebels headlong through the suburbs of Shahjehanpur, cutting down great numbers of Horse and Foot, and capturing a brass 9-pounder. In the pursuit, which lasted some miles, the two squadrons crossed the Gogra twice. Although the enemy Horse were thus put to flight, it was then discovered that they had formed only a part of the enemy force in occupation of the fort and city. After the 82nd had been relieved, the action became general and lasted the whole day. By the end of it, the 6th Dragoon Guards had been in the saddle for over twenty hours without a break, for much of the time under a scorching sun.

From October 1858 until April 1859, Meade was with the Left Wing operating in Oudh, and, from May to November, at Agra to hunt down Tantia Topi, the rebel leader who was falling back before the advance of the Central India Field Force under Sir Hugh Rose. In December 1859 and January 1860, Meade was with the two troops detailed as bodyguard to the Viceroy, Lord Canning, at Umballa. The regiment arrived back in England on 27 July 1861, and Meade was discharged at Chatham on 9 January 1862.