Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Lieutenant C. E. Lewes, Bengal Horse Artillery, who served in the action against the Mutineers of the 14th Native Infantry at Jhelum on 7 July 1857, in which action Gunner Conolly, also of the 1st Troop, 3rd Brigade, Bengal Horse Artillery was awarded the Victoria Cross, and died in Simla on 17 November 1857

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Pegu (2nd. Lieut. Chas. E. Lewes. 5th. Batt. Arty.); Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Lieut. C E. Lewes, 1st. Tp. 3rd. Bde. He. Arty.) good very fine (2) £700-£900

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

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Provenance: George McIlroy Collection.

Charles Edward Lewes was born at Mhow on 18 October 1831, the son of Colonel C. J. Lewes, 3rd Bengal European Regiment, and was educated at Cheltenham College and Addiscombe. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant on 13 June 1851 and was posted to the Bengal Horse Artillery, serving with the 2nd Company, 5th Battalion during the Second Burma War.

Promoted Lieutenant on 12 May 1857, Lewes served with the 1st Troop, 3rd Brigade, Bengal Horse Artillery during the Great Sepoy Mutiny, and was in action with the mutineers of the 14th Native Infantry at Jhelum on 7 July 1857. The Bengal Horse Artillery 1800-61 by Major-General B. P. Hughes gives the following account:
‘There was also trouble in Jhelum, when a detachment of H.M’s 24th Foot, the newly raised Multani Horse, and a half troop of the 1st Troop 3rd Brigade Bengal Horse Artillery were sent to disarm the native battalion there. A badly planned battle took place, first in the cantonments and later in a village outside. Pressing forward over keenly, the 1/3 B.H.A. found itself a bare 100 yards from the mutineers position, when overwhelming fire forced the infantry to withdraw. Both pole horses of one gun were shot down and the same fate befell the relief team which galloped forward to get the gun back. In these actions Gunner Conolly of the 1/3 B.H.A. was twice wounded in the battle in the cantonment in the morning, and once again in the action in the afternoon. In spite of these wounds he remained in action on the gun until he fainted, eventually receiving the Victoria Cross.’

Lewes subsequently proceeded on sick leave to Simla, and died there on 17 November 1857.

Sold with copied research.

For the recipient’s brother’s medals, see Lot 455.