Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Major Fitzgerald, Attd. Goorkha Force) nearly extremely fine £500-£700

George Fleetwood Charles Fitzgerald was born at Buckfastleigh, Devon, on 3 January 1808, son of T. F. Fitzgerald, Purser Royal Navy. Educated privately and at Addiscombe 1823-25, he was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant to the Bengal Artillery on 28 September 1825, and arrived in India on 18 March 1826; Lieutenant, 19 August 1832; Captain, 1 April 1845; Major, 20 February 1855; Lieutenant-Colonel, 10 November 1858.

Served with the Nizam’s Artillery, April 1841 to 1853; Adjutant Nizam’s Engineers, April 1853 to May 1857. Served with the Turkish Contingent from 20 March to 20 September, 1855, with local rank of Colonel in Turkey (London Gazette 27 March 1855), in command of the artillery of the Contingent under General Vivien. He resigned on account of the state of his health. Appointed to command 4th Company Nizam’s Artillery, 28 August 1857.

‘Major G. F. C. Fitzgerald. Lucknow. Served throughout the campaign with the Goorkha Forces under Maharaja Jung Bahadur.’ (Indian Mutiny medal roll ‘Officers on the Staff of Brigadier General McGregor C.B. attached to the Goorkah Forces of Jung Bahadur’ L/MIL/5/77 Folio 14 refers).

Despatch from Brigadier-General McGregor, Gorruckpore, 7 January 1858: ‘Major Fitzgerald, who accompanied Colonel Lall Singh, has gained the confidence of that officer. He gave him sound and judicious advice, which was well acted on.’

Lieutenant-Colonel Fitzgerald retired on 10 November 1858, and died on 5 March 1888, at 2, Fauconburg Villas, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.