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Auction: 15001 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 373

Indian Mutiny 1857-58, four clasps, Delhi, Relief of Lucknow, Lucknow, Central India (Corns. Barron, 75th. Regt.), with top clasp-style riband bar, suspension claw re-affixed, therefore nearly very fine

This medal has an interesting history that probably makes it unique to the British Army. When it originally appeared in dealer Ken Lovell’s list it had the single clasp for Central India. After a period in Australia the medal resurfaced in the collection of the late Vivian Mann, better known as the writer of historical fiction under the nom de plume of Vivian Stuart, but it now had three clasps for Delhi, Relief of Lucknow and Lucknow only. Cornelius Barron correctly appears on the medal roll of the 75th Regiment for these three clasps, one of only nine men of the regiment so entitled. However, the medal roll also notes against his name, ‘Serving with Artillery’, and it is possible that he did in fact qualify for the Central India clasp whilst serving with an artillery unit in that campaign. Whilst it has so far not been possible to confirm this on any muster, prize or medal roll, his service papers contain the following annotation under the heading for Good Conduct Badges, Badges of Merit and for Gallant Conduct in the Field: ‘Conduct has been Good and he is in possession of one Good Conduct Badge and he is in possession of the Indian Mutiny Medal and 4 clasps for Service in the Field.’ For further details, please see the article by A.J. Henderson in the OMRS Journal, Winter 1993.

3165 Private Cornelius Barron, born Doon, County Limerick, 1834; enlisted in the 75th Foot, February 1853; served throughout the Indian Mutiny, and received one year's additional service for Alumbagh; transferred to the Royal Canadian Rifles, July 1866; discharged, May 1870, due to disbandment of the corps.

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Sold for
£1,700