A superb Indian Mutiny Medal 1857-1859, 1 Clasp: Central India, awarded to Lieutenant later Captain E.J. Upton, 72nd Regiment of Fort - the Duke of Albany’s Own Seaforth Highlanders, later 26th (Cameronian) Regiment of Foot, this together with both his original 72nd Highlanders officers feather bonnet badge and his 26th Cameronian officers shako badge. From London, Upton saw service between September 1852 and September 1867, he latterly being an Instructor of Musketry with the Depot Battalion. During the Indian Mutiny he formed part of Major General Sir Hugh Rose’s Central India Field Force in the operations against Jhansi, Calpee, and Gwalior which lasted from January to June 1858. Upton, an amateur artist, was able to document his military career, and two albums of his drawings and watercolours have come onto the market.
Indian Mutiny Medal 1857-1859, 1 Clasp: Central India; (LIEUT. E.J. UPTON. 72ND. HIGHLANDERS), this together with its original ribbon and attached 19th Century two prong silver ribbon buckle to facilitate wear, this being in turn attached to a velvet backing board, to which is attached this officers following insignia and items: Mid 19th Century original 72nd Highlanders officers feather bonnet badge, silver and gilt, with original black silk backing rosette; a mid 19th Century original 26th Cameronian officers shako badge, burnished gilt finish with blackened centre behind number 26; and pair of riding boot spurs, made from brass, these bearing the makers details for Maxwell. All of the above attached to the same board, which has has an affixed nameplate reading: ‘Capt. E.J. Upton, 72nd Highlanders & 26 Foot.’
Condition: medal toned, Nearly Extremely Fine, the insignia also of similar condition.
Edward James Upton was born was in 1830 in London, the son of Thomas Upton, and his parents were shown as residing at Watling Street when he was baptised at Christ Church Newgate Street on 22 April 1830. Uptpn was commissioned into the British Army as an Ensign by purchase with the 72nd Regiment of Fort - the Duke of Albany’s Own Seaforth Highlanders on 21 September 1852. He was promoted to Lieutenant without purchase on 1 December 1854. He however did not participate with his regiment during the Crimean War.
Upton saw active service during the Indian Mutiny as part of the Oudh Irregular Force, and took part in Major General Sir Hugh Rose’s Central India Field Force in the operations against Jhansi, Calpee, and Gwalior which lasted from January to June 1858.
Upton was promoted to Captain by purchase on 14 August 1860, and in that rank transferred into the 26th (Cameronian) Regiment of Foot on 23rd October 1860. In that same year he married Eliza Jane Bevington. Upton was still a Captain with the 26th Foot when he was posted to the Depot Battalion as an Instructor of Musketry on 1 June 1866, and he retired from service on 4 September 1867. It was a little over a year later that Upton died when only 38 years old on 29 September 1868 at Burnham House, Woodlands, Lewisham, London. It is fortunate that Upton, an amateur artist, was able to document his military career, and the firm of Bates and Hindmarch in Cheltenham, sold his two albums of drawings and watercolours some 25 years ago, from which individual images are now once again appearing on the market.
