Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria including the collection to Naval Artificers formed by JH Deacon

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Central India (Surgn. J. H. Orr, 4th Cavy. Hd. Cont.) fitted with silver ribbon buckle, good very fine £350-400

John Henry Orr was born in Ceylon on 8 June 1814. He was appointed Assistant Surgeon on the Madras Establishment on 22 February 1837. He was present at the siege of Dhar in 1851, and was appointed Surgeon on 17 July 1853. He served during the Indian Mutiny as Surgeon to the 4th Cavalry of the Hyderabad Contingent, amongst whom several members of his family served with distinction. He was present in the Malwa campaign, at the storm and capture of Piplia, and actions at Rawal and Mandesur. In the Central India campaign he was present at the actions at Madhupur, Tal Bhil, the Betwa, the siege and storm of Jhansi, the action at Kunch, the storm of Kalpi, the actions at Galauli and Bellawa, and the occupation of Gwalior. In respect of these services he was made a Companion of the Bath, 16 November 1858, a rare honour for a medical officer in the Indian Army at this period, only having been eligible since 1850. He was promoted to Surgeon Major in January 1860, to Deputy Inspector General in July 1864, and appointed Honorary Surgeon to the Queen in March 1868. He retired in November 1870, and died at Southbourne on 4 August 1894.