A Collection of Indian Mutiny Medals, the Property of a Gentleman

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Cornet C. J. [sic] A. Barnes, 2nd. Dragn. Gds.) good very fine £400-£500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Indian Mutiny Medals, the Property of a Gentleman.

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Charles Gabriel Alfred Barnes was commissioned Ensign in the West Essex Militia on 6 January 1855, and served with the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen’s Bays) in India during the Great Sepoy Mutiny, the Medal Roll stating:
‘At Dawah near Newabgunge on 12 October 1858 under Brigadier Purnell.
At Dawah near Newabgunge on 7 November 1858 under fire from the enemy’s piquet when on patrol in charge of Lieutenant Palmer Hudson’s Horse.’

Barnes had a relatively short and inauspicious career as the following newspaper cutting shows:
‘Henry Mullen, Hewett Wheatley, Charles Gabriel Alfred Barnes, and Walter William Younger; four fashionably dressed gentlemen stated to be officers in the army appeared before the Mayor of Dover to answer a charge of wrenching off knockers and conducting themselves in a disorderly manner in Shakespeare Place, Castle Street and Church Street.
Superintendent Coram in reply to the bench said that several parties whose properties had been injured, including Mr G. T. Parke of Church Street had promised to be in attendance to press the complaint before their worships but none of them had appeared.
Sergeant Geddes said that about half past one o’clock on Sunday morning as he was on duty in the Market Place he heard a great disturbance in Shakespeare Place and Castle Street and on getting near to the spot from which it proceeded he saw the four defendants engaged in wrenching off knockers. He stood and watched the proceedings for a short time and ultimately saw them pull off a knocker from a house in Church Street. On getting up to them he saw the knocker in the hands of Mr Barnes.
The Mayor: “And how goes it the parties are not here to prosecute the charge?”
Sergeant Geddes: “I cannot say sir, I have called upon them all.”
The Mayor - “This is very disgraceful. Complaints of this kind of thing are continually being made to the bench; and when the police do their duty parties neglect to come forward. I am sorry to see you gentlemen in this position. Men of your standing who have to maintain discipline in your respective corps should be the last to be found guilty of such disgraceful conduct. It happens fortunately for you that the persons are not here to prosecute, for had they been you would have received as much punishment as the law permits. If poor unfortunate people get into difficulties of this kind prosecutors have no hesitation in coming forward and I cannot understand why they neglect to come in the present instance. As it is the case will be dismissed on you paying the Court fees.”
Each of the defendants handed over his “two shillings for the hearing” apparently much amused at the ridiculous character of their punishment. The serious part of the drama has yet to be performed the Mayor having represented the matter to the Commander in Chief.’

Things didn’t get any better for Barnes, and he was subsequently before the bench again, this time for violent assault:
‘At the Westminster Police-court, London, Mr. Charles Gabriel Alfred Barnes, of the 2nd Dragoon Guards, residing at Bellevue-house, Notting-Hill, was finally examined charged with violently assaulting Mr. Henry Edridge Rice, of Howard-villa, Thistle-grove, solicitor. Complainant stated that on the evening of the Derby day he was standing in front of the circular bar at Cremorne Gardens, having a glass of ale and smoking, when the defendant and some friends pushed against him and deliberately knocked his pipe out of his mouth. Complainant naturally said, “What do you mean by that? You have knocked my pipe down, now pick it up.” He was then pushed about, hustled, and threatened by the defendant and his companions. In presence of a policeman he asked defendant what he meant by such conduct. In reply he received a desperate blow from him. A medical certificate was produced from Mr. Goodrich, surgeon, testifying that the complainant is suffering from a displacement of the nasal cartilages, the result of some external violence, and that although he progresses favourably it will be some time before he recovers from the injuries he has sustained. It was stated by the police constable that there was a great disturbance at the time complainant was assaulted. The witness’s hat was knocked over his eyes by someone, so that he could not see. He afterwards took the defendant into custody. Both parties were sober.
Joseph Timms, clerk and money taker at Cremorne Gardens, corroborated Mr. Rice in every particular, adding that he stood slightly above the crowd and could see well everything that passed. After the accused had struck Mr. Rice, he said, “He asked for a hotulk and he’s got it,” or words to that effect. He was familiar with the prisoner’s face, but only knew his name by hearing a woman, in talking of the assault, say shortly afterwards, “Oh! it is that brute Barnes”.
In cross-examination the witness stated that at the time of the assault Mr. Barnes had not a stick in his right hand, as he struck the blow with that hand.
Mr. Charles Hanbury, of 19, Wilton Place, Regents Park, said that the defendant was his cousin. He had been with the defendant and his brother to the Derby, and went to Cremorne in the evening. He had hold of defendant’s left arm, but could not say whether he carried a stick in his right hand. He did not recollect anything having been said about a pipe. He simply heard Mr Rice charge his cousin with the assault, when the latter immediately replied, “I shall be happy to go to the station.”
The place where the assault was committed was so crowded that it was impossible for any one to say who struck another a blow. Mr. Frederick Barnes, an officer in the 5th Middlesex Militia, residing at Bellevue-house, Notting-hill, brother of the defendant, was then called, and most positively denied that any one act imputed to his brother by complainant had been done by him. He walked on his right side, and saw him as usual carrying his stick in his right hand. He was most positive that his brother did not commit the assault. The witness, in answer to a question from Mr. Lewis, said it was totally false that his brother had been fined £5 for an assault. The defendant was then committed for trial, but, as before, admitted to bail.’

Barnes was allowed ‘to retire from the service by the sale of his Commission’ on 4 January 1861, having perhaps done more fighting outside the Regiment than in it.

Sold with copied research.