War Medals

CORPORAL JOHN COLLINS, 8TH. (THE KING'S ROYAL IRISH) HUSSARS

Indian Mutiny Medal 1857-58, bar, 'Central India', officially impressed naming - Corpl. JOHN COLLINS, 8th. Hussars. : (JOHN COLLINS - Born at Tamworth, Staffordshire around 1835, attested at Birmingham on 23 July 1855 and was posted to 4th. Light Dragoons. On 1 September 1857 he transferred to 8th. Hussars under orders to serve in India. He was promoted to Corporal from 16 February 1858 and to Serjeant from 18 March 1860. He took part in both the action at Kotah and that at Gwalior. At the Battle of Kota-ki-Serai on 17 June 1858, a Squadron of the 8th.Hussars, under Captain Heneage fought the large Indian force commanded by Rani Lakshmibai, which was attempting to leave the area. The Hussars charged into the Indian force, through the enemy camp slaughtering some five thousand Indian soldiers and capturing three guns. According to eyewitness accounts Rani Lakshmibai dressed in a sawar's uniform, attacked one of the Hussars. She was unhorsed and wounded probably by sabre, and shortly afterwards as she sat bleeding by the roadside, she recognised the soldier and fired at him with her pistol, whereupon he "dispatched the young lady with his carbine." The recipient remained in India for six and a half years and returned to England in 1865. He transferred into the Staffordshire Yeomanry from 1 April 1876 and was discharged from the Army at Aldershot on 18 November 1876. He was the author of the book "Two Brothers in the Indian Mutiny", a record of his and his brother's experiences during the campaign. He died on 16 January 1922 at Wootton, Near Ashbourne, at the age of 87years.) : Sold with verification, copy Discharge Papers, copy newspaper articles and reports including photographs of the recipient, a report of his death and funeral, and other related research. A scarce medal, some polishing but generally NVF - £895