Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Captain R. R. Harris, 67th Bengal Native Infantry

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Pegu (Lieut. Robt. R. Harris. 67th. Regt. N.I.); Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Captn. R. R. Harris, 67th. Regt. N.I.) good very fine (2) £600-£800

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

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Provenance: George McIlroy Collection.

Robert Robison Harris was born in St. Anne’s, Liverpool, on 20 April 1824 and was educated at Harrow. Commissioned Ensign on 20 February 1843, he was posted to the 67th Bengal Native Infantry, and was promoted Lieutenant on 23 December 1846. He served with the 67th Native Infantry during the Second Burma War, before being appointed Cantonment Magistrate at Dinapore in 1856. Promoted Captain on 31 August 1856, he served during the Great Sepoy Mutiny, and was appointed Joint Cantonment Magistrate at Agra in January 1858, and Joint Cantonment Magistrate and Superintendent at Cawnpore in April 1858.

Harris returned to the U.K. on leave in 1859, and went to stay with his elder brother George F. Harris, who was Housemaster of The Park at Harrow. He died of fever at Harrow on 14 June 1860. Interestingly, the School had raised its first Volunteer Rifle Corps earlier that year, with G. F. Harris being appointed one of the commanders. Although pure conjecture, it is quite possible that his younger brother whilst on leave staying at The Park may have assisted in some small way.

Sold with a photographic image of the recipient; and copied research.