The Brian Ritchie Collection of H.E.I.C. and British India Medals

The Indian Mutiny medal to Gunner Patrick Loan, Bengal Artillery, an original defender at Lucknow where he was also wounded

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 2 clasps, Defence of Lucknow, Lucknow (Patk. Loan, 4th Comy. 1st Batty. Bengal Arty.) good very fine and scarce £700-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Brian Ritchie Collection of H.E.I.C. and British India Medals.

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Patrick Loan was born at Portglenone, Co. Antrim, and enlisted at Glasgow on 6 October 1845, for unlimited service in the East India Company’s Artillery, aged 20 years. He joined the E.I.Co. recruit depot at Warley Barracks, Brentwood, Essex, on 15 October and was there allocated to the Bengal Presidency, embarking for India on the Royal Alice on 30 October 1845. He arrived at Calcutta on 7 March 1846 and was posted to the 4th Company 1st Battalion Bengal Artillery. He served with 4/1 Bengal Artillery throughout the siege of Lucknow and was wounded by a bullet in the neck on 1st July 1857. He was promoted Bombardier on 3 September 1857 and granted an additional year’s service for the defence of Lucknow. He volunteered for the Royal Artillery in May 1861 and was discharged at Woolwich on 23 August 1864, having served just over 18 years in India.

Ref: WO 97/1333; IOL L/MIL/10/180; L/MIL/10/125; L/MIL/9/32.