Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Lieut. H. L. Brownrigg, 84th. Regt.) minor contact marks, polished, generally very fine £400-£500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from a Mutiny Collection.

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Provenance: George McIlroy Collection.

Henry Latham Brownrigg was born in Dublin on 6 July 1831 and was commissioned Ensign in the 89th Regiment of Foot on 25 May 1855. Promoted Lieutenant on 17 November 1857, he transferred to the 84th Regiment of Foot on 13 April 1858, and served during the latter part of the Great Sepoy Mutiny with Brigadier Douglas’ Force in the Shahabad District. He is mentioned in ‘The Indian Mutiny Letters of Colonel H. P. Pearson’ on 26 December 1858 as ‘a fine strapping fellow, who will be I imagine a man after my own heart’.

Brownrigg was unfortunately involved in the accidental death of a Corporal of the Regiment, Joseph Jenkinson, at the Rifle Ranges at Ash Common, near Aldershot, on 25 April 1862: ‘One of the officers fired a shot, and the Corporal of the Butts (Jenkinson) was in the act of running to the point where it struck the target, when at the same instant Lieutenant Brownrigg delivered a second shot, which unfortunately passed through poor Jenkinson’s body. There being no surgeon on the ground, the man was carried to camp - a distance of nearly three miles - and taken to hospital, but died that evening. No blame whatever attaches to Lieutenant Brownrigg, which Jenkinson acknowledged to his Colonel a short time before he expired, as he stated that he ran out when he ought to have known that the danger flag was hoisted. The Inspector of Musketry for the Division was also present, and also entirely acquits Lieutenant Brownrigg.’
Formally acquitted at the Coroner’s Court, Brownrigg was said to be much affected when giving evidence.

Brownrigg was promoted Captain by purchase on 5 April 1864, and then Major on 5 May 1869. He was granted the Brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel on 1 October 1877, and was confirmed in this rank upon being given the command of the Regiment on 19 December 1877. He died at Dover on 23 June 1879, aged 47.

Sold with copied research.