Medals from a Mutiny Collection

Three: Captain G. C. Parker, Indian Navy, who was Mentioned in Despatches for his services with the Indian Naval Brigade in the action at Jehenabad on 22 August 1857; and was later specially thanked for his services in the expedition against the Waghers at Dwarka in September 1859, during the course of which action he was wounded, but continued to direct his men

Baltic 1854-55, unnamed as issued; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Midn. G, C, Parker, In. Nl. Bde. H.M.P.V. Calcutta); China 1857-60, 1 clasp, Pekin 1860 (Ag. Lieut. G. C. Parker H.M.S. Zenobia. I N.) officially impressed naming, edge bruising and light contact marks, generally very fine (3) £1,800-£2,200

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

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Provenance: Captain K. J. Douglas-Morris Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, October 1996.

George Charles Parker was born in Havant, Hampshire, on 19 February 1836, the son of a Captain in the Royal Marines, and was educated at the New Cross Royal Naval School. He was appointed a Midshipman in the Indian Navy on 3 April 1853, and served during the Great Sepoy Mutiny with No. 3 Indian Naval Brigade from Her Majesty’s Pendant Vessel Calcutta which departed up-country in the small river steamer Jumna in July 1857. He was present in the action at Jehenabad, above Allahabad, on 22 August 1857, where he was sent in command of a boat to cut out and destroy some boats laden with captured Government stores. The enemy, however, were present in great numbers, lining the banks and in occupation of a thick wood close by the river, and opened a fire so fierce that Midshipman Parker received the signal to retire. The Jumna and her boats now advanced to the attack and, after engaging the enemy for six hours, succeeded in shelling the enemy out of their positions and destroying their boats. For his services during the Mutiny Parker was Mentioned in Despatches.

In September 1859, as Second Lieutenant of the Zenobia, Parker was present with the expedition against the Waghers who were in occupation of the strong fort at Dwarka in the Island of Beyt. At the attack on the fort, Parker commanded the field-piece party from his ship and landed with the troops. The enemy’s fire was very heavy, and Lieutenant Parker received a wound but continued to direct his men; a second bullet smashed the hilt of his sword. He was specially thanked by Colonel Donovan, in a Despatch addressed to Captain Cruttenden, and the latter officer wrote:
‘The gallantry and coolness with which Mr. Parker worked his gun, under a heavy and very destructive fire, was the most conspicuous, and excited the admiration of all, and, moreover, was most useful in covering the withdrawal of the troops after the first fruitless attempt to take the place by escalade.’

Parker was present at the operations against Pekin in 1860, and on the abolition of the Indian Navy, later that year, was appointed Assistant-Superintendent and Post Officer at Carwar. In June 1873 he took over the office of Master-Attendant at Karachi, and rendered valuable service, which was duly acknowledged by the Government, in aiding the transport of troops and baggage animals in connection with the Second Afghan and Sudanese Wars.

Promoted Captain in 1883, Parker returned to England on sick-leave in the British India Company’s steamer Kerbela in October 1890, but sadly did not live to reach England, his death occurring at sea on 15 November 1890. Last seen by the crew entering the saloon about 9:00 p.m., the following morning he was found to be missing, and the whole ship was searched throughout without success. He had been in excellent spirits during the evening, and his death therefore was a complete mystery.

Sold with copied research. No evidence has been found thus far to confirm the recipient’s entitlement to the Baltic Medal.