Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Relief of Lucknow (Thos. Naylor, 93rd Highlanders) suspension claw re-affixed, 1st letter ‘s’ double-struck, good very fine £500-600

Thomas Naylor served with the 93rd Highlanders during the Indian Mutiny, and was killed in action at the Shah Najaf Mosque, during the relief of Lucknow, on 16 November 1857:

‘When the battle for the Secunderabagh was still going on, Captain Peel’s naval brigade advanced towards the Shah Najaf Mosque, which the mutineers had fortified, and bombarded it with six 24-pounders, under Lieutenant T. Young, as well as mortars and rockets. They made little initial impression on its stout walls. An attack by the 93rd Highlanders was equally unavailing. The British guns were brought right up to the Mosque and Peel called for volunteers to climb a nearby tree to dislodge snipers on its walls, who were causing havoc amongst the gun crews. Lieutenant Nowell Salmon, Leading Seaman John Harrison, and Able Seaman Richard Southwell responded, though Southwell was killed almost immediately. The British were, in fact, on the point of retiring when Sergeant J. Paton, 93rd Highlanders, discovered a small gap in one of the walls. He led a party of Highlanders, who opened the main gate of the Mosque as its last defenders withdrew.’ (The Victoria Cross and the George Cross, The Complete History refers).

For his gallantry in this action Sergeant John Paton, of the 93rd Highlanders, was awarded the Victoria Cross, one of five awarded for this action.