Medals from a Mutiny Collection

Pair: Major-General H. Hammond, Bengal Artillery, who was three times Mentioned in Despatches during the Indian Mutiny, and was severely wounded at the taking of the Secunderabagh on 16 January 1858

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, North West Frontier (Lieut. H. Hammond 2nd. Punj. Fld. Batty.); Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Relief of Lucknow (Capt. & Bt. Major H. Hammond. 3rd. Bn. Bengal Art.) edge bruise to first, both light polished, good very fine (2) £1,400-£1,800

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

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Provenance: George McIlroy Collection.

Henry Hammond was born at Kingston-upon-Hull on 26 October 1826 and was commissioned Second Lieutenant on 11 June 1838. Promoted First Lieutenant on 17 August 1841, he was appointed to raise and command No. 2 Battery, Punjab Irregular Field Force in November 1850, and served on the Punjab Frontier from January 1851 to August 1853. He was present at the various actions with the Wuzeeree Tribe of Afghanistan in 1851; with the expedition against the Eusofyze in March 1852, under Sir Colin Campbell; and in the expedition against the Sheranees in April 1853, under the command of Brigadier Hodgson, Commanding Punjab Irregular Force.

Promoted Captain on 3 March 1853, Hammond saw further action during the Great Sepoy Mutiny, serving as the Brigade Major to the Artillery of the force under the command of Lord Clyde during all the operations connected with the relief of Lucknow, for which services he was Mentioned in Despatches (Calcutta Gazette 11 December 1857). He was present as Brigade Major of Artillery at the action of Kalkar Nuddee, 1 January 1858, and was severely wounded at the taking of the Secunderabagh, 16 January 1858.

Promoted Brevet Major on 24 March 1858, Hammond was appointed to command the Artillery of the column under the command of General Penn for operations in Rohilcund, and was present at the action of Kukrowlee when General Penny was killed on 1 May 1858, being honourably Mentioned by Brigadier Jones commanding the column: ‘the 4 guns of Captain Hammond’s Light Field Battery were now ordered to the front, and nobly did this officer and his men respond to the call’ (London Gazette 28 July 1858).

Hammond subsequently commanded the Foot Artillery at the reduction of Bareilly under Lord Clyde on 5 May 1858, and was then attached to Brigadier Coke’s column for services in Rohilcund from 9 May 1858, being present at Shajehanpore and in the pursuit of rebels to Mahomdee on 20 May 1858, again being Mentioned (Calcutta Gazette 21 July 1858). He was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 26 April 1859; Colonel on 31 December 1867; and Major-General on 1 August 1872. He died on 23rd February 1898.