Medals from a Mutiny Collection

Pair: Major-General G. E. Holmes, Brigade Staff, late 72nd Bengal Native Infantry, who over the course of his lengthy career was thanked on no fewer than 33 occasions by the Officers under whom he served

Punjab 1848-49, 2 clasps, Mooltan, Goojerat (Lieut. G. E. Holmes, 72nd. Bengal N.I.); Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Capt. G. E. Holmes, Bde. Staff.) minor edge bruising and small dig to obverse field of first, nearly very fine and better (2) £900-£1,200

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

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Provenance: George McIlroy Collection.

George Edward Holmes was commissioned Ensign on 12 June 1840, and was posted to the 72nd Native Infantry. Promoted Lieutenant on 1 February 1843, he commanded the Rifle Company of the 72nd Native Infantry at Neesung when detached with two guns Horse Artillery and a troop of 3rd Light Dragoons to cover the retreat of the Government troops from Khythul in 1843 and kept open communications with Kurnaul. He subsequently served throughout the Second Sikh War and was present at the first siege of Mooltan; in the affair of 9 September and storming of the enemy’s strongly entrenched position on 12 September 1848; during the siege operations previous to and the action of Sooraj Koond, 7 November; and at the Second siege of Mooltan, culminating in the surrender of the citadel in January 1849.

Promoted Captain on 10 May 1853, Holmes commanded a force on the Lower Hazara Frontier 1853-54, and took part in sundry minor affairs when in command of the Peshawar Frontier posts of Michnee, Abazanie and Shube Kuddar 1855-56. When a mutinous spirit entered itself into the Kelat-il-Ghilzie Regiment in 1853 he was especially selected by the Commander-in-Chief to take command of the Regiment, and entrusted with the extremely difficult and delicate task of renumbering the entire Regiment and giving each individual his proper standing and place in the Battalion Register. Confirmed as Commandant on 28 May 1855, he served in this capacity until 5 February 1856 when, the Regiment now in a state of good order and discipline, he applied to revert to Brigade Staff. A testament to his good services was the fact that the Regiment remained faithful during the Great Sepoy Mutiny.

Holmes was re-appointed to the Brigade Staff in 1856 and held the appointment of Brigade Major at Jullundar throughout the Mutiny. On receipt at Jullundar by telegraph, on the morning of 12 May 1857, of the massacres at Meerut and Delhi, he ordered a detachment of the 8th Foot into Fort Phillour, and thus saved this valuable and important Fort and Magazine from falling into the hands of the mutineers from the 3rd Native Infantry. His actions were brought to the notice of the Commander-in-Chief in the Despatch of the Brigadier commanding at Jullundar, and he received the thanks of Brigadier Hartley. In total he was thanked on eleven separate occasions by the several Officers Commanding, and was complimented in Brigade Orders.

Holmes was promoted Major on 18 February 1861, and served until 1865 as Assistant Adjutant General, receiving the Commendations of both General Sir Hugh Rose and the Adjutant General. He was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 12 June 1866, and Colonel on 12 June 1871, and, continuing as Adjutant General, in 1873 compiled new Standing Orders for the Native Army. He retired with the honorary rank of Major-General on 23 January 1875; in total he had been thanked on 33 occasions by the Officers under whom he served. he died in Hove, Sussex, on 5 August 1897.

Sold together with a group photographic image featuring the recipient; and copied research.