Medals from the Collection of Peter Duckers

Four: Major-General Francis Gellie, 39th Bengal Native Infantry

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Ens. F. Gellie, 9th N.I.) rank privately engraved; India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Bhootan (Lieut. F Gellie 39th N.I.); Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (Major F. Gellie. 39th Ben: N:I:); Empress of India Medal 1877, silver (Major Francis Gellie, Offg. Comdt. 39th Regt. N.I.) generally good very fine or better (4) £1,400-£1,800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Peter Duckers.

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Francis Gellie was born at Garrochie, King Edward, Scotland, on 6 November 1834. He was educated at the Grammar School of Aberdeen and then passed to King’s College, where he graduated in 1856. He gained the King’s College cadetship for the H.E.I.C., passed the Company’s own examination and went to India in the same year. Commissioned Ensign on 20 October 1856, he was posted to the 9th Bengal Native Infantry on 5 January 1857. He was serving with the 9th N.I. when it mutinied at Allygurh on 20 May 1857. He served with the 1st Gwalior Cavalry (Scindia’s Contingent) in May and June 1857 in some minor affairs with rebel villagers in the Allygurh district. Was present when half of the 1st Gwalior Cavalry mutinied at Hattras on 24 May 1857, and served in the gun escort during General Polwhele’s action with the Neemuch mutineers at Sassiah, near Agra, on 5 July 1857 . He was with the Rifle Company of the Agra Militia during the battle of Agra on 10 October under Colonels Cotton and Greathed and the subsequent pursuit of the rebels. He served with the 3rd Bengal Europeans in February 1858, against the rebels in the ravines of the Jumna and in minor affairs in the Agra district, and with the Allygurh Levy with Colonel Oakes’ No. 4 Column of the Bundelkhand Field Force under Brigadier Wheeler in October, November and December 1859.

Gellie was appointed 2nd in command of the Allygurh Levy in February 1860, and as Wing Officer to the 39th Bengal N.I. in January 1864. He commanded the Left Wing of the 39th N.I. in the Bhootan campaign of 1865-66, and was promoted to Captain in October 1868 and to Major in October 1876. As Officiating Commandant of the regiment he received the Empress of India Medal for the Durbar held at Delhi in 1877.

He served with the regiment during the period it was employed in the Second Afghan War as Officiating Commandant and then as Officiating Second in Command from 24 August to 2 November, 1879. The 39th left Meerut on 13 November 1878 for Multan, and then to Lawrencepur from 13 January to 18 March, 1879. It was ordered to the Khyber and arrived at Ali Musjid on the 28th as part of the 2nd Division, Peshawur Valley Field Force, under General Maude. It remained at Ali Musjid after the signing of a peace treaty as part of the Khyber Force.

On the renewal of the war in September 1879, the 39th formed part of the 3rd Brigade, Jellalabad Field Force, which later became the 2nd Khyber Division, Kabul Field Force. It suffered such an appalling level of sickness (470 hospitalised out of 550 at one stage) that the regiment was ordered to India. On 1 November the 39th left Ali Musjid for Nowshera, arriving on the 8th, and after a period of recovery, furnished the Doaba outposts.

He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel on 20 October 1882; Colonel, 20 October 1886; and retired as Major-General, 13 November 1886. He took up residence in Aberdeen and died there on 26 March 1892.