Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Lieut. W, F. Belli, H,E,I,C, Attd. to 38th Regt.) good very fine £400-£500

Walter Forbes Belli was born at Hooghly on 24 August 1833, son of W. H. Belli, Collector of Hooghly, and Sarah. He was educated at Charterhouse and Addiscome 1851-53, and sailed for India on the Prince of Wales, 29 August 1853. In January 1853 he had been involved in an unfortunate shooting accident when, in firing at a rabbit, he lodged the contents of his gun in the leg of Mr John Burton who afterwards died. Belli was acquitted of all blame by the subsequent inquest which returned a verdict of ‘accidental death.’

Lieutenant Belli served against the insurgent Sonthals in 1855 under Major-General Lloyd, C.B., attached to H.M.’s 38th Regiment as Interpreter. He was Court Martialled at Lucknow on 8 September 1859, ‘For being drunk on duty when attached as Interpreter to H.M.’s 38th Regiment on 11 March 1859.’ Found guilty and reduced three steps in the 40th Bengal Native Infantry.

In September 1859, he was permitted to proceed to Europe for two years leave, arriving in England in January 1860. In January 1861, the following notice appeared in the Jersey Independent and Daily Telegraph: ‘Freedman Padmore, Esq., Attorney to Walter Forbes Belli, Gent., without whom the latter cannot act in any matters relating to his real or personal property, cautions the public against giving credit to the said Mr Belli, or contracting with him in any way, under pain of any such debts or contracts being null and void. St Helier 11 January 1861.’

The same publication announced the death, in November 1861, ‘On Friday the 22nd inst., at the residence of Doctor Padmore, Bath Street, Walter Forbes Belli, Esq., Lieut. 40th Bengal Native Infantry, son of W. H. Belli, Esq., of Queen’s Gate, Kensington.’