The Collection of Medals formed by the late Tim Ash

Pair: Colonel W. T. Mills, 30th Bombay Native Infantry, late 25th Bombay N.I., serving with whom he was twice recommended for the Victoria Cross, both at the battle of Betwah and at the fall of Jhansi in April 1858

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Central India (Lieut. W. T. Mills, 25th Bombay N.I.); Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (Lt. Col. T. Mills, 30th Bo. N.I.) both fitted with silver ribbon buckles, minor contact marks, otherwise nearly extremely fine (2) £1000-1200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals formed by the late Tim Ash.

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William Terence Mills was born in London in about 1833, the son of a ‘Gentleman’ employed by the East India Company in Leadenhall Street. He was granted a Cadetship for the Bombay Infantry and departed for India aboard the Indus on 20 January 1851. Initially he was attached to the 9th Bombay Native Infantry before being posted as Ensign to the 25th Bombay Native Infantry. During the Indian Mutiny he served at the siege and storm of the fortresses of Chendaree and Jhansi, battle of the Betwah, action at Koonch, the different actions on the banks of the Jumna from 15th to 23rd May 1858, in the capture of Calpee (wounded), the action at Morar, actions at and near Kotah-Ke-Serai and capture of Gwalior. In the operations in the ravines of the Junma and Sind Rivers against the rebel Thakkor Burjore Singh (Medal and clasp).

Mills was thanked by Sir Charles Stewart, mentioned in despatches, and recommended for the Victoria Cross by Colonel Robertson, commanding 25th Bombay N.I. at the battle of Betwah, for ‘destroying a small body of the enemy who had taken up a position amongst a mass of rock.’ Furthermore, according to the history of Napier’s Rifles (formerly 25th Bombay N.I., at the fall of Jhansi on 3 April 1858, ‘Lieutenant Mills, Captain Little and Lieutenant Forbes were recommended for the Victoria Cross for rescuing a man of the 86th under heavy fire’.

In July 1865 Mills transferred to the 30th Bombay Native Infantry (Jacob’s Rifles). He served with this regiment and officiated as second-in-command at Quetta during the opening stages of the Second Afghan War, before returning to England on Sick Certificate and to retire in November 1879 with the honorary rank of Colonel. He died at his residence at Uffculme, Devon, on 7 May 1901, aged 68 years.

Note: Afghan medal issued with single initial ‘T’ in accordance with his entry on the medal roll.

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