The Indian Mutiny medal to Colonel A. E. Bowen, 19th Madras Native Infantry

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Central India (Lt. A. E. Bowen, 19th Madras N.I.) very fine £500-600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Brian Ritchie Collection of H.E.I.C. and British India Medals.

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Arthur Evan Bowen, the son of Captain Peregrine Bowen, R.N., was born in Pembrokeshire and was baptised privately at Pope Hill in the parish of Johnston on 27 March 1826. He was educated at the Royal Naval School, and under Dr Firminger, and was nominated for the Madras Infantry by Lieutenant-Colonel Sykes, on the recommendation of William Betham. Commissioned Ensign on 19 March 1845, he arrived at Fort St George in July of that year and was directed to do duty with the 41st Madras N.I., whilst awaiting a vacancy in the 30th Madras N.I. However, in September 1845, he was transferred from the 30th at his own request to the 19th Madras N.I.

Promoted Lieutenant in November 1848, he served in the expedition to Burma in 1852-53 and was present ‘at the investment of Pegue [sic]’ and ‘Commanded a party of the 19th Regt. N.I. and 1st Madras Fusiliers sent to reinforce the river picquet during the attack by the enemy on the 4th, 5th and 6th January 1853 on the garrison, remained with the picquet for 3 days was present at the capture of Beeling, in April 1853’.

In 1858-59 he served in the suppression of the Mutiny in Central India under Sir George Whitlock (See Lot 89) and was present at the surrender of the rebel Narrain Rao of Kirwee on 6 June 1858. He commanded his regiment’s Light Company in ‘the affair of Jignee, 9th August 1858, in action at Giriwassah on the banks of the Scinde River, 16th December 1858’. Advanced to the rank of Captain in May 1860, and Major in September 1866, Bowen was serving as Officiating Wing Officer of the 19th Madras N.I. in 1870. The following year he was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel, and in 1872 was Officiating Wing Officer, 3rd Madras N.I. He retired as Honorary Colonel in 1875 and died on 28 April 1883.

Refs: Hodson Index (NAM); IOL L/MIL/11/49, 80 & 84.