Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Indian Mutiny Medal awarded to Captain J. H. St. John, 92nd Highlanders, who served on the Staff of Major General Michel during the Malwa Field Force’s pursuit of the rebels under Tantia Topee 1858-9, and was three times Mentioned in Despatches and promoted Brevet Major

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Capt. . H. St. John, 92nd. Highlanders) first initial neatly erased, good very fine £400-£500

John Henry St. John was born in Florence, Italy, on 3 January 1828, and was commissioned Ensign in the 92nd (Gordon Highlanders) Regiment of Foot on 20 November 1846. He was promoted Lieutenant by purchase on 23 November 1949; and Captain on 26 July 1855. He served in Gibraltar from 16 April 1853 to 15 December 1854, in the Crimea from 7 December 1855 to 17 May 1856. The 92nd were not entitled to the Crimea Medal as they arrived after the qualifying period.

Based in Malta, in June 1857, Captain St John was appointed Aide-de-Camp to his father-in-law, Major-General Charles Warren C.B., commanding the 1st Infantry Brigade and in November of the same year he was appointed Major of Brigade. During the Indian Mutiny, Captain St John served in Central India between 22 August 1858 and 31 March 1859, initially as Major of Brigade to Major General Michel, commander of the Malwa Field Force, to which part of the 92nd Highlanders was attached. Under General Michel, he took part in the pursuit of the rebels under Tantia Topee. He was Mentioned in Despatches for the action at Rajghur on 15 September 1858 and was also present at the actions of Mongrowlee on 9 October (Mentioned in Despatches), Sindwaho on 19 October (Mentioned in Despatches), and Kurrai on 25 October 1858. Promoted Brevet-Major on 7 December 1858, on 25 December 1858 he was specially appointed Assistant Quartermaster General (in field) by Major General Michel, continuing to serve under this General in the Malwa Field Force.

In 1861, Major St John served briefly as Military Secretary to the Commander-in-Chief in India, before returning to duty in Great Britain. He retired in 1867 and died at Netley Marsh, Hampshire, in 1912.

Photographs of Major St John are held in the National Portrait Gallery collection.