Orders, Decorations and Medals

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Lieut. H. S. A. Lattenham, 67th Regt. N.I.) edge bruise, otherwise good very fine £400-500

The name on the medal has been incorrectly transcribed as ‘Lieut. H. S. A. Lattenham’ instead of ‘Lieut. H. L. A. Tottenham’.

Henry Loftus Alexander Tottenham was born on 15 July 1836, the son of Brevet Major John Loftus Tottenham, 5th Bengal Light Cavalry. He passed the H.E.I.Co’s. examination at Addiscombe in November 1853 and was nominated for a Cadetship in the Bengal Infantry, being appointed an Ensign in December 1853. His first appointment during March-August 1854 was with the 50th Bengal N.I. During August 1856-June 1857 he served with the 67th Bengal N.I., being promoted Lieutenant in November 1856. The 67th Bengal N.I. mutinied at Agra on 31 May 1857. During June 1857-November 1858 Tottenham served as part of the Agra Garrison. He participated in the battle of Shahganj, 5 July 1857 and was wounded, and at the action at Aligarh, 29 August 1857. The garrison at Agra was relieved on 10 October 1857, the garrison making a sortie to assist the reliving force of Lieutenant-Colonel Greathed. In October 1858 he was posted as an officer with the Kumaon Gurkha Battalion. With the Gurkhas he served in Lord Clyde’s campaign in Oudh. In 1859 he took part in Brigadier Horsford’s expedition against the Nepalese rebels and was present at the action at Sitka Ghat, 9 February 1859. After service in the suppression of the Mutiny he was placed on general duty at Agra and served with the Agra Levy. Subjected to a Court of Inquiry on charges of neglect of duty and disobedience of orders in January 1864, he was later permitted to return to duty, his superior officer being censored.
He was promoted to Captain in December 1865, Major in December 1873 and Lieutenant-Colonel in December 1879. During December 1868-May 1869 he served as a Boundary Settlement Officer, being employed to survey the southeastern and eastern boundary of Rewah - for which he received the Thanks of the Government of India. He attained the rank of Colonel in December 1883 and retired with the rank of Major-General on 30 September 1885. Major-General Tottenham died in Tasmania on 7 November 1896. Sold with copied service history and copied extracts re. Agra and the Indian Mutiny.