Medals from the Collection of Peter Duckers

The Indian Mutiny Medal awarded to Colonel J. Morland, 1st European Bengal Fusiliers, a veteran of the Pegu operations of 1852 who served throughout the Mutinies, being Mentioned in Despatches three times, by General Havelock, Colonel Macintyre, and Major Hume

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Lieut. John Morland, 1st. Eurn. Bengal Fusrs.) minor edge nicks, good very fine £800-£1,200

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

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John Morland was born in 1831 and attended the H.E.I.C. military academy at Addiscombe, 1847-48. He was appointed Second Lieutenant on 11 December 1849, served during the operations in Pegu in 1852 (medal and clasp) and was promoted Lieutenant 5 March 1854. During the Indian Mutiny he served as Staff Officer and latterly Orderly Officer to Major Hume and was mentioned in despatches three times:

Firstly, in Brigadier Havelock’s despatch of 12 July 1858 for the action at Futtepore (London Gazette 13 October 1857) ‘My orders were conveyed in the field boldy, actively and intelligently, by my Aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Havelock, 10th Foot, and the following officers: Lieutenant Morland, 1st Fusiliers…’.

He was next mentioned by Lieutenant Colonel McIntyre in his despatch of 3 January 1858 for the defence of the Alum Bagh at Lucknow (London Gazette 31 March 1858) ‘I trust the Major-General will not think it presumptuous on my part to bring to his notice the names of those officers who were most conspicuous in the performance of their duties, and deserve much credit. They are-…Lieutenant Morland, Acting Staff Officer (1st Bengal Fusiliers).’

He was mentioned for a third time in Major Hume’s despatch of 7 October 1858 for distinguished service in his role as Orderly (London Gazette 31 January 1859) ‘I have much pleasure in recommending him to favourable consideration; also to Lieutenant Hamilton Maxwell, my detachment staff; as also Lieutenant Morland, my orderly officer, both of whom were most active and energetic in the performance of their respective duties.’

Morland was in action from the first formation of General Havelock’s force, he was present at the actions of Futtehpore, Aoung, Pandoo Nuddee, Cawnpore, Oonao, Buseerutgunge, Nawabgunge, Boorbea-ka-Chowky, Bithoor, Mongowa, Alum Bagh (granted one year’s extra service), Khodagunge, siege and capture of Lucknow, Koopza and Allygunge. He also served during the Rohilcund Campaign and the subsequent operations in Oude.

Promoted to Captain 11 December 1861, he retired in 1871 and was appointed Honorary Colonel 1873. He died in 1902 in St. Marylebone, London.