The mounted group of four miniature dress medals attributed to Lieutenant-General John Guise, V.C., C.B., 90th Light Infantry, comprising: Victoria Cross; Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol; Turkish Crimea, Sardinian issue; Indian Mutiny 1857-58, 2 clasps, Relief of Lucknow, Lucknow, mounted as worn from a silver brooch-bar with gold pin, very fine (4) £1200-1500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Dress Miniature V.C. Groups from the Collection of the Late David Harvey.

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Ex Spink Medal Circular (No. 9), April 1998 (Item No. 417); full-sized awards also ex Spink Medal Circular (No. 7), October 1997 (Item No. 513).

John Guise was born in July 1823, the fifth son of General Sir John Guise, G.C.B., Bt., of Highnams, Gloucestershire. Commissioned into the 90th Regiment as an Ensign in June 1843, he saw active service in the Crimea in the Sebastopol operations, and was advanced to Major in July 1855. Extensively engaged in the Indian Mutiny, not least in the Lucknow operations where he lost an arm, he was elected by fellow officers of the 90th Regiment to be awarded the V.C.:

‘For conspicuous gallantry in action on the 16 and 17 November 1857, at Lucknow. Elected by Officers of the Regiment’ (London Gazette 24 December 1858 refers).

On retiring from the Army, after having added a C.B. to his honours, Guise took up residence in Wexford and in 1890, as a Lieutenant-General, was appointed Colonel of the Leicestershire Regiment. He died in February 1895.