Orders, Decorations and Medals Including five Special Collections

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Capt. J. Aytoun, 7th Hussars) very fine £600-700

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Gordon Everson.

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James Aytoun was born at Cheadle on 28 April 1830, the Aytouns being an ancient Scottish family traceable to the 12th century. Educated at Eton in 1843-45, he was commissioned as an Ensign in the 1st Foot (Royals) on 22 October 1847. He exchanged into the 7th Hussars as a Cornet on 20 April 1849, becoming Lieutenant on 31 October 1851, and Captain on 24 June 1854. He was placed on Half-pay, on reduction of the regiment, from November 1856 until August 1857, when he returned to Full-pay.

Captain Aytoun served in the Indian Mutiny with the army under the command of Sir Colin Campbell, G.C.B., from 4 February 1858 to 1st March 1859, including the repulse of the enemy’s attack on the Alumbagh, 25 February 1858; the Siege and Capture of Lucknow, from 2nd to 21st March; at the affairs of Baree, 13th April, Sirsee, 12th may, and action of Nawabgunge, 15th June; favourably mentioned in Sir H. Grant’s despatch of 18 July 1858; at the occupation of Fyzabad, 29th July; at the passage of the river Goomtee at Sultanpore, 26th & 27th August; throughout the Byswarra campaign, including the attack on and pursuit from Pandoo Nudee, 27th October, and Hydergerh, 26th November; pursuit of the Force under Benhi Madho to the Goomtee, 29th November. Also the Trans Gogra campaign including the attack on the enemy’s position near Chudra and pursuit, 26th December; the taking of the Fort of Meejeedia, 27th December, and the affair near Bankee with pursuit to the Raptee, 31st December 1858; the advance into Nepaul and attack on the enemy’s position at Sitaghat on 9th February 1859.

Aytoun returned home in August 1859, and exchanged into the 85th Regiment on 5 May 1863, becoming Major on 25 April 1865, on which date he retired. He lived in London after his retirement and died at Hyde Park Place on 1 August 1889. Sold with extensive research including an original receipt for his marching allowance from Sheffield to Dundalk, dated 15 May 1856, signed by Lieutenant Aytoun.