Orders, Decorations and Medals

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Capt. J. Aytoun, 7th Hussars) very fine £600-700

Ex D.N.W. 28 March 2002.

James Aytoun was born at Cheadle on 28 April 1830, the Aytouns being an ancient Scottish family traceable to the 12th century. Educated at Eton in 1843-45, he was commissioned as an Ensign in the 1st Foot (Royals) on 22 October 1847. He exchanged into the 7th Hussars as a Cornet on 20 April 1849, becoming Lieutenant on 31 October 1851, and Captain on 24 June 1854. He was placed on Half-pay, on reduction of the regiment, from November 1856 until August 1857, when he returned to Full-pay.
Captain Aytoun served in the Indian Mutiny with the army under the command of Sir Colin Campbell, G.C.B., from 4 February 1858 to 1st March 1859, including the repulse of the enemy’s attack on the Alumbagh, 25 February 1858; the Siege and Capture of Lucknow, 2 to 21 March; at the affairs of Baree, 13 April, Sirsee, 12 May, and action of Nawabgunge, 15 June; favourably mentioned in Sir H. Grant’s despatch of 18 July 1858; at the occupation of Fyzabad, 29 July; at the passage of the river Goomtee at Sultanpore, 26 & 27 August; throughout the Byswarra campaign, including the attack on and pursuit from Pandoo Nudee, 27 October, and Hydergerh, 26 November; pursuit of the Force under Benhi Madho to the Goomtee, 29 November. Also the Trans-Gogra campaign including the attack on the enemy’s position near Chudra and pursuit, 26 December; the taking of the Fort of Meejeedia, 27 December, and the affair near Bankee with pursuit to the Raptee, 31 December 1858; the advance into Nepaul and attack on the enemy’s position at Sitaghat on 9 February 1859.

Aytoun returned home in August 1859, and exchanged into the 85th Regiment on 5 May 1863, becoming Major on 25 April 1865, on which date he retired. He lived in London after his retirement and died at Hyde Park Place on 1 August 1889. Sold with extensive research including an original receipt for his marching allowance from Sheffield to Dundalk, dated 15 May 1856, signed by Lieutenant Aytoun.