Medals from a Mutiny Collection

The Indian Mutiny Medal awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel G. M. Billington, 4th Foot, who was severely wounded whilst leading the storming party in the attack on Fort Beyt, 2 April 1858

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Lieut. G. M, Billington, 1st. Batn. 4th. Regt.) edge bruise, very fine £800-£1,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from a Mutiny Collection.

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Provenance: Jack Wadey Collection, 1968; George McIlroy Collection.

George Moyle Billington was born in 1831 and was commissioned Ensign by purchase in the 4th Regiment on 30 April 1855. He served with the Regiment in the Crimea from 18 March 1856, subsequent to the fall of Sebastopol (not entitled to the Crimea Medal) and was promoted Lieutenant on 26 December 1856. Proceeding to India, he was part of the single Wing of the 4th Foot, numbering 208 men, that served during the Great Sepoy Mutiny, and was part of the party from Nos. 1 and 2 Companies, numbering 149 men, that took part in the attack on Fort Beyt, 2 April 1858.

Billington led the storming party at the attack in Fort Beyt, and was severely wounded during the attack - total casualties from this action were 2 officers wounded, four other ranks killed, and 17 other ranks wounded. These were virtually the only casualties sustained by the Regiment during the Mutiny. Invalided to the U.K. on 4 June 1858, he was promoted Captain on 9 March 1861 upon exchanging into the 6th Dragoons, and joined his new Regiment at Nuggur in November of that year; the following April he was a witness during the celebrated Court Martial of the Regiment’s Commanding Officer, Colonel Crawley. Transferring again to the 8th Hussars, he retired from the Army with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel on 1 October 1877. He died in 1894.

Sold with copied research, including two photographic images of the recipient; and a portrait caricature.