The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals (Part 1)

Pair: The Order of the Indian Empire, C.I.E., 1st type breast badge with ‘INDIA’ on the Lotus flower petals, gold and enamels, complete with top suspension brooch, pin lacking on this; Indian Mutiny 1857-58, no clasp (Lt. Comg. G. O’Brien Carew, In. Nl. Bde. H.M.P.V. Calcutta) nearly extremely fine and rare (2)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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Her Majesty’s Pendant Vessel CALCUTTA was the base vessel at Calcutta from which the detachments forming the fourteen Indian Naval Brigades were administered during the Sepoy Rebellion. The strength of each of these Detachments amounted to approximately 4 Officers, 2 Warrant Officers and 100 Petty Officers and seamen. Of the fourteen Detachments, or Brigades, only No’s. 3, 4 and 7 qualified for the Indian Mutiny Medal. Only 19 Officers are shown on the medal roll for these three Brigades.

When the impending abolition of the Indian Navy was announced, Lieutenant Carew along with numerous other officers sought promotion and a pension through the established method of submitting a "Memorial". Lieutenant Carew's was dated 27 June 1863 and stated:

"That your memoralist joined the Steam Frigate MOOZUFFER I.N. in 1846 as Midshipman [Seniority 16 September 1846], and has consequently served a period of nearly seventeen years, fifteen of which have been actual service in India and China. Has held the rank of [Mate from 21 February 1852] and Lieutenant [Seniority 21 September 1855] in the Indian Navy for more than eight years; was three years on the China Station in the H.E.I.C.S. SEMIRAMIS [1851-1853], and while so employed was present in two boat actions against Malay pirates on North East Coast of Borneo.

Subsequently commanded a brigade of seamen and a battery of Field Artillery in Bengal, and was actively engaged against the enemy through the arduous campaign of the Indian Mutiny, for three years. The only time your memorialist has been absent from duty upon sick or other leave, was after the fatigue and exposure of marching against, and engaging the enemy under a burning sun in the summer of 1858, when his constitution was so severely shaken that he was ordered to England for two years. Returning to India before the expiration of his leave, he has since held command of two of H.M's Indian Navy Ships and at present is in command of H.M's Steamer COROMANDEL, which vessel he lately took round to Shanghae with troops.

That your memoralist ... has twice received Notice of Government for service performed during the Indian Mutiny [a commendation from the President in Council June 1858] for his part when commanding No.2 Indian Naval Brigade in the combined attack upon the rebels in the jungle of Peeror on 11th and 12th May 1858 under the orders of Colonel Corfield, and also praise from the Governor General in Council (October 1859) for the manner in which the Naval Guard performed their duties with great credit at Alipore Prison whilst forming the 10th Indian Naval Brigade under his command, do most humbly submit that Lieutenants of the Royal Navy serving on shore in Bengal during the Indian Mutiny were, without exception, promoted to the rank of Commander, and although he could not at that time expect the same promotion, being in a seniority service, pray now on the abolition of the Indian Navy that the Honorary Rank of Commander may be bestowed on him [which it was, to date from 30 April 1863] ....".