The mounted group of three miniature dress medals attributed to Colonel J. C. Campbell Daunt, V.C., Bengal Native Infantry, comprising: Victoria Cross; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp; China 1857-60, no clasp, scroll suspension, all worn from a silver triple brooch pin, very fine £1200-1500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Dress Miniature V.C. Groups from the Collection of the Late David Harvey.

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Collection

Ex Magor collection, Dix Noonan Webb, 2 July 2003 (Lot 268), in which auction Daunt’s full-size awards were also included.

John Charles Campbell Daunt, who was born at Autranches, Normandy in November 1832, was first commissioned as Ensign in the 70th Bengal Native Infantry in July 1852, and was promoted to Lieutenant in July 1857.

Daunt served during the Mutiny as Baggage-Master to the column commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Fisher, 27th Madras Native Infantry, and during 1857-58, as Interpreter to the column commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel English, H.Ms 53rd Foot. He was present at the attack and defeat of the Ramghur Light Infantry Battalion at Chota Behar, on 2 October 1857, on which occasion his conduct was brought to the especial notice of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief. Whilst serving under Colonel English he was entrusted with the Secret Intelligence Department, and also commanded a 4-gun Bullock Battery on service.

Lieutenant Daunt was subsequently present at the attack and defeat of the 32nd Native Infantry mutineers at Nowadah, Behar, on 2 November 1857, being severely and dangerously wounded. His conduct was again brought to the notice of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, for submission to Her Majesty, for the decoration of the Victoria Cross, a submission that was approved:

‘For conspicuous gallantry in action on 2 October 1857, with the mutineers of the Ramghur Battalion at Chota Behar, in capturing two guns, particularly the last, when he, in conjunction with Sergeant Dynon, of the 53rd Foot, rushed at and captured it by pistolling the gunners, who were mowing the detachment down with grape, one third of which was hors de combat at the time. Lieutenant Daunt is also recommended for chasing, on 2 November following, the mutineers of the 32nd Bengal Native Infantry across a plain into a rich cultivation, into which he followed them with a few of Rattray’s Sikhs. He was dangerously wounded in the attempt to drive out a large body of these mutineers from an enclosure, the preservation of many of his party on the occasion being attributed to his gallantry’ (London Gazette 25 February 1862 refers).

Lieutenant Daunt served in China in 1858, having rejoined the 70th Native Infantry at Canton on 1 April of that year. He was present at the affair with the Braves at the White Cloud Mountains, at the repulse of the Chinese at the Landing Pier and at the Magazine Hill.

Daunt entered civil employ in April 1862 and became a District Superintendent in the Bengal Police Department, a position which he held until his death. He received the Brevet of Captain in July 1864, was confirmed in that rank in September 1866, and thereafter received promotion to Major in July 1872, to Lieutenant-Colonel in July 1878, and to Brevet Colonel in July 1882. Colonel J. C. Campbell Daunt died at Bristol on 15 April 1886, in his 54th year.