Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 15002 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 165

An Important Indian Mutiny Campaign Group of Four to Major J.C. Ross Grove, 42nd Royal Highlanders, Who Played a Prominent Role in the Storming of Fort Ruhya, 15.4.1858, During Which Brigadier Adrian Hope Died In His Arms Whilst Bullets Were Flying Around Them- A Selfless Act That Nearly Resulted In His Own Demise As Both His Bonnet And Kilt Were Shot Through
Crimea 1854-56, three clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Sebastopol, the backstrap of each clasp contemporarily engraved '20th. September 1854', '25th. October 1854', and '8th. September 1855' respectively (Capt. J.C. Ross Grove, 42d. Royal Highlanders), contemporary engraved in upright serif capitals; Indian Mutiny 1857-58, one clasp, Lucknow, the backstrap contemporarily engraved ‘14th. March 1858’ (Capt. J.C. Ross Grove, 42nd Royal Highlanders), ‘C. Ross’ neatly corrected; Turkey, Ottoman Empire, Order of the Medjidieh, Fifth Class breast Badge, 72mm including Star and Crescent suspension x 49mm, silver, gold applique, and enamel, the reverse contemporarily engraved ‘Captain J.C. Ross Grove, 42nd Royal Highlanders’, minor enamel damage to suspension; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian die, Hunt and Roskill issue (Captain J.C. Ross Grove, 42nd Royal Highlanders), contemporarily engraved in serif capitals, minor edge bruise to first, otherwise generally good very fine, all with top silver riband buckles or bars, and housed in a fitted leather case; together with a group photograph and various photographic images of the recipient (4)

Major Joseph Charles Ross Grove, was born in Demerara, Guyana, West Indies, in December 1834, and was educated at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. Commissioned Ensign, 42nd Royal Highlanders, September 1851, he was promoted Lieutenant, June 1854.

The Crimea
Lieutenant Ross Grove served with the Regiment in the Crimea, and participated in the Kertch and Yenikale expeditions, in addition to the battles of Alma, Balaklava and Sebastopol. The following account, taken from a letter home (contained in the recipients papers, a large quantity of which are held in the Regimental Museum), describes his experiences at the Battle of the Alma, 20.9.1854:
'Meanwhile, the First Division (our own), deployed on our side of the river and were ordered to lie down to avoid the shell and shot which came like hail amongst us. Many of us had narrow escapes but only three men were knocked over then. In half an hour after we deployed we got the order to advance. We crossed the river and got into a vineyard. The whistling of the bullets was perfectly astonishing. The thickness of the foliage, the river, half a dozen dykes to cross and five or six houses broke us completely. I am now speaking of my cause. We formed line as quickly as possible under a most fearful fire of shot, shell, grape and canister, and musketry. How we escaped I know not. Immediately we got into order we opened fire and continued advancing up a tremendous steep brae so rapidly that their artillery could not get our range - we were only two hundred yards from full regiments and a battery of seven guns! So the heavy shot now went over our heads... We now came up with the 79th which were, I am sorry to say, wavering. We broke through them - cheering, they gave way to us, saying "Let them go they are mad." We were now with fixed bayonets and were ordered to cease firing. The Duke and Sir Colin Campbell were with our Colonel riding in front, waving their swords. Oh it was splendidly exciting and we cheered again and again, and then went laterally and determinedly up the hill as quick as we could march. It was too steep to double. The fire was as heavy as ever. When we came within 50 yards of the top of the hill we cheered. They gave us a parting volley and scuttled down the other side. We then got to the top of the heights. We were the first regiment of the Army who gained the position!'

He saw further action in the trenches before Sebastopol, as he recounts in a letter home, dated 31.7.1855:
'On Thursday afternoon a shell burst in the air almost 100 yards from me. I saw a fragment coming straight at me. I considered for a moment and determined not to move. If I had done so I would have lost my left arm. The piece in descending smacked a man's thigh and I calculate would have caught me about the elbow. We are too much used to these things now for them to affect us. It was amputated next day and he is doing well... after a beef broth pudding and a glass of port and some brandy and water I enjoyed bed tremendously.'

For his services in the Crimea, Ross Grove was promoted Captain and was one of four Officers from the Regiment to be awarded the Fifth Class of the Ottoman Order of Medjidieh.

Indian Mutiny
Captain Ross Grove sailed for India in August 1857, arriving in Calcutta in October. He began the march to Cawnpore on the 24th November, and was given the command of a leading company in which, with four others, he took part in the action at Cawnpore on the 6th December. These leading troops then formed part of Hope Grant's pursuit force and were eventually joined by the rest of the Regiment on 22nd December. The 42nd then participated in the operations near Kala Nuddee, Lucknow, where they distinguished themselves. Ross Grove was present at the assault on the Martiniere and on 'Bank's Bungalow', and in the numerous operations fought by the Highland Brigade under Brigadier Adrian Hope, not least the attack on Fort Ruhya, April 1858. For his part in this action is mentioned in several contemporary accounts, the task of commanding the storming party largely falling on his shoulders, in his capacity as Commanding Officer of No. 8 Company:
'The rebels were prepared to evacuate the fort, and they had intended to fire a few rounds and retreat. But, when they saw the British general sending his infantry in skirmishing order against the face which could be defended, they changed their minds and determined to show fight. Meanwhile, Walpole had ridden up to a company of the 42nd that was in advance, commanded by Captain Ross Grove, and had directed that officer to extend and pass through the wooded ground in his front; then to close on the fort, hold the gate, and prevent the enemy from escaping. Another company of the same regiment, led by Captain Green, was to move in support.
Captain Ross Grove ordered his men to fix bayonets and be in readiness and pushing through the forest before them, the 42nd dashed across the open space between the trees and the fort, and lay down on the edge of the counterscarp of the ditch, which till then had been invisible. During the advance the enemy had poured into them a continuous fire. That fire now became increasingly hot, and, as the men had no cover, many of them were shot down, killed or wounded. After waiting here for some time, Ross Grove sent a bugler to the general to tell him that there was no gate, but that if he would send scaling ladders he would escalade the place. It was evident by this time to Ross Grove that no other attack was being made.
To his message to Walpole, Ross Grove received no answer. Then, as the casualties were becoming serious - there being only a few paces between his men and the enemy - he sent another message asking for a reinforcement as well as ladders, and pointing out that it was impossible to cross the ditch without the latter.
Presently, Captain Cafe came down with his Sikhs, the 4th Punjab Rifles. Without communicating with Captain Ross Grove, Cafe dashed into the ditch a little to the left of the 42nd. There his men, having no ladders, were shot down like dogs. It was marvellous that any escaped. Amongst the officers killed was Edward Willoughby, a young officer of the 10th Bombay Native Infantry, who, though on the sick-list, had left his dooly to join in the fight. Of the hundred and twenty men Cafe had brought with him, forty-six men were killed and two wounded. Finding it useless to persevere, Cafe drew back the remnant of his men, and asked the 42nd to help him recover Willoughby's body. Ross Grove, unable to go himself, being in command, gave him two Privates, Thompson and Spence. With these men Cafe returned to the ditch and brought back the body, Cafe being wounded. He received the Victoria Cross for his gallantry; so, likewise, did Thompson. Spence died two days later from a wound he received in carrying out his splendid deed.
No orders had reached Ross Grove, who, with his men, remained still exposed to the enemy's fire, when, a short time afterwards, Brigadier Adrian Hope came up, accompanied only by his aide-de-camp, Butler. It would seem that, whilst the troops mentioned were acting in the manner described on one face of the fort, Walpole, alarmed at the consequence of his rashness, had caused the heavy guns to open on the walls from the side opposite to that on which the skirmishers still were. Soon after they had opened fire, a report was made to Adrian Hope that the balls from the heavy guns were going over the fort and dropping amongst the skirmishers. He at once rode up to Walpole. What passed between them cannot with certainty be known, but it seems probable that Walpole doubted the truth of the report, for, on his return from the conversation, Hope declared to Butler that he would go and see for himself.
The moment Ross Grove saw him he sprang to his feet, and, rushing to him, said, "Good God, General, this is no place for you; you must lie down." But it was too late. Even at that moment his immense frame had become a target to the enemy, not to be missed. He was shot through the chest, and died almost immediately in Ross Grove's arms. Whilst holding him, Ross Grove's own bonnet and kilt were shot through.
Captain Ross Grove then told Butler that he could not and would not retire without orders, and that scaling-ladders were the things he wanted. Butler went back to report to Walpole. Meanwhile, in the hope of finding some means of entering the fort, Ross Grove crawled round the edge of the ditch, followed by two men, to keep down, as far as they could, the enemy's fire. He persevered till one of the two men was killed by a round shot from the British guns discharged from the other side, when, finding his effort fruitless of results, he returned. A few minutes later, Brigadier Cox came up with orders to retire. This order the two companies of the 42nd obeyed in as strict order and steadiness, by alternate files, as if they were on a parade ground.
Their losses had been heavy. Lieutenants Douglas and Bramley and fifty-five of their followers were killed; two other officers were wounded. The bodies of the dead officers were not allowed to remain where they fell. Quarter-Master Sergeant Simpson, Privates Douglas and Davis, especially distinguished themselves in the dangerous and heroic work of recovering them - they all received the Victoria Cross'.

Captain Ross Grove, whose gallant deeds remained unrecognized, went on to see further action at Bareilly and in the Oude. He retired with the rank of Major, October 1866, and died at Lyndhurst, Hampshire, May 1889.

Provenance: Major Samson Collection, Glendining, June 1991.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£3,200