The Robin Scott-Smith Collection of Medals to Casualties

A fine campaign group of four awarded to Private George Dorrell, 61st Foot, late 41st Foot, who was severely wounded in the abdomen at Delhi in the action in the Kishenganj suburb in July 1857

Candahar Ghuznee Cabul 1842 (George Dorrell, 41st Regt.) fitted with a contemporary scroll-style suspension; Punjab 1848-49, 2 clasps, Chilianwala, Goojerat (Geo. Dorrell, 61st Foot.); Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Delhi (George Dorrell. 61st Regt.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., small letter reverse (Pt. George Dorrell. 61st Foot. 1857) engraved naming, light contact marks and edge bruising, otherwise nearly very fine or better (4) £1,800-£2,200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Robin Scott-Smith Collection of Medals to Casualties.

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Provenance: Captain R. C. Bentley Collection, Sotheby, February 1970.

George Dorrell was born at Burnham, Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, and attested for the 6th Foot in London on 29 August 1839. He volunteered for transfer to the 41st Foot on 1 August 1841, and transferred to the 61st Foot on 1 July 1846. He was discharged at Plymouth on 10 October 1860, having served 21 years 43 days, including 18 years 6 months abroad, of which East Indies 17 years 4 months, and Mauritius 1 year 2 months.

He served in the Afghanistan campaign of 1842 (Medal); served with the Army of the Punjab in the campaign of 1848-49, present at the passage of the Chenab and in the battles of Sadoolapore, Chilianwala and Goojerat; present with Major-General Sir M. R. Gilbert’s Field Force in pursuit of the enemy to the Khyber Pass in March 1849 (Medal); served at the siege of Delhi in 1857, present at the repulse of the sorties of the 4th and 9th, severely wounded 9th July 1857.

At the time of his discharge he was ‘in possession of four Good Conduct Badges and Medal for the Campaign of Afghanistan, also a Medal for the Punjab Campaign and one for Long Service and Good Conduct, has never been tried by any Court Martial and eleven times entered in the Regimental Defaulters Book, was Severely Wounded at Delhi on the 9th July 1857.

George Dorrell was wounded by a musket ball in the belly in the action in the Kishenganj suburb of Delhi on the above date. He received his L.S. & G.C. medal with a Gratuity of £5 in the year 1857-58.

Sold with copied discharge papers.