Medals from the Collection of Gordon Everson

A Burma campaign medal to Captain H. J. Lermitte, Royal Scots Fusiliers, who served with the Mounted Infantry at Laing’s Nek and Ingogo River in 1881

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Burma 1885-7 (Captn. H. J. Lermitte, 2d Bn. R. Sco. Fus.) contact marks, otherwise very fine £300-350

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

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Henry James Lermitte was born at Finchley, London, on 11 Spetember 1858, and was commissioned from the Militia into the 5th Dragoon Guards on 4 December 1878. He became Lieutenant in June 1880 and transferred to the Royal Scots Fusiliers in August 1880. Lermitte served with the Mounted Infantry under Brownlow at Laing’s Nek, and took part in the charge up the hill, where his horse was shot under him. A thrifty soul according to a contemporary account, he thus described the charge: ‘I got up and, seeing no one about, I turned and legged it down the hill. My helmet had fallen off, my sword dropped out of my hand, and I lost my field glasses. It was a dashed expensive day.’ Although this account by Lermitte does not convey much by way of gallantry or dash, another account says, ‘Major Brownlow and Lieutenant Lermitte, 2-21st R.S.F., led the men magnificently, and had narrow escapes, their horses being shot under them.’ He was subsequently present at Ingogo River, and for his services during the campaign was mentioned in despatches London Gazette 10 March 1881. Lermitte served with the regiment during the Burma campaign of 1885-87, becoming Captain in May 1886. He transferred to the 1st Volunteer Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers, in January 1890, and subsequently became Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel in the Yeomanry. He died at Colchester on 20 June 1918.