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Auction: 9022 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 37

x A Fine ´Empress of India´ Group of Three to Major-General C.V. Jenkins, 47th Bengal Native Infantry, Who Whilst on Leave With His Family Narrowly Avoided Being Massacred By A Mob in the Early Stages of the Indian Mutiny, 5.6.1857 Indian Mutiny 1857-58, no clasp (Lieut. C.V. Jenkins 47th Beng. N.I.); China 1857-60, no clasp (Lieutenant C.V. Jenkins 47th Bl. N.I.), engraved in running script; Empress of India, silver, unnamed as issued, generally very fine or better, with original Foreign Office forwarding letter for the Empress of India Medal to recipient, dated 5.1.1877 (3) Estimate £ 1,000-1,200 Major-General Charles Vernon Jenkins, born Calcutta, 1830; educated in England at the Reverend J.E. Bromley´´s School; recommended by H. St. George Tucker, a Director of the H.E.I.C., Jenkins was commissioned Ensign 47th Bengal Native Infantry, 1848; Lieutenant 1851; Jenkins and his family were almost fatally caught up in the early stages of the Indian Mutiny, ´´Several officers who were on leave or extra-regimentally employed, had narrow escapes. On June 5th, Lieutenant C.V. Jenkins, attached to the 2nd Oudh Infantry at Sultanpore, with his wife and family and thirty-five other ladies, gentlemen and children, arrived at Mulloopore, about 26 miles from Allahabad, where they were attacked by a mob of hostile villages. They were recognized by Sepoys Shiunath and Janki Upadhya of the 47th, who were returning from furlough. They at once came to their help, and brought them food and supplies. When the approach of a swarm of insurgents made it necessary for the refugees to split up into small parties, these faithful Brahman sepoys offered to procure Hindustani clothing for Lieutenant Jenkins and his family, and to smuggle them in disguise into Mirzapore. This was rendered unnecessary by the action of a loyal zemindar Munshi Ajit Singh, who provided the fugitives with doolies, camels and elephants, and as escort of 150 men as far as Allahabad. But until they reached their destination, these two loyal men were untiring in their efforts to get them supplies especially of milk for the ladies and children.´´ (The History of the 3rd Battalion 7th Rajput Regiment, refers); Both loyal sepoys were promoted to Havildar and awarded the Indian Order of Merit for their gallant conduct; the 47th Bengal Native Infantry was one of the few Bengal Regiments to remain loyal and indeed volunteer as a regiment to serve in the war in China; Jenkins was promoted Captain 1861; advanced Lieutenant-Colonel Bengal Staff Corps, 1874; appointed Political Officer to the entourage of the Maharaja of Kashmir, and it was in this appointment that he was present at the celebrations at Delhi, 1877 (Empress of India Medal); later postings included Deputy Commander at Sealkote and in the same position at Dharamsala; retired Major-General 1885. Provenance: Spink July 1989

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£1,800