Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Central India (Asst. Surgn. G. A. Burn. 5th Infy. Hd. Cont.) contact marks, therefore nearly very fine £400-500

George Alexander Burn was born in London on 12 April 1833, the son of Edward Burn of Stirlingshire, Scotland. He was educated at Marischal College, Aberdeen, where he obtained an MA (1852) and an MD (1854). Appointed Assistant-Surgeon, 30 May 1855; Surgeon, 30 May 1867; Surgeon-Major 1 July 1873; Brigade-Surgeon, 2 February 1881.

Burn travelled by the Nile route to India, 31 May 1855, and on arrival he was appointed to the Madras Presidency taking medical charge of the 3rd Cavalry Hyderabad Contingent. At the commencement of the mutiny Burn was in medical charge of the 5th Infantry Hyderabad Contingent, a British officered force maintained at the insistence of the British by the Nizam of Hyderabad, ostensibly to protect him but also to keep him in line. The Contingent was an all arms brigade consisting of several regiments of cavalry and infantry with both field artillery and siege guns. It formed part of Sir Hugh Rose's 2nd Brigade and was commanded by Captain George Hare C.B.

The 5th Infantry in the Hyderabad Contingent Field Force, was assembled at Edlabad to protect North Berar and to prevent mutineers and rebels from crossing into the Nizam’s domain. The Hyderabad Contingent F.F. remained at Edlabad, held up longer than necessary by heavy rains, and a severe outbreak of cholera until October when it marched to suppress an insurrection in the Hoshangabad District, where some opportunist members of the native landed gentry had returned to the mendicant ways of their ancestors and plundered several villages. After successful operations against the fort at Piplia, in which ‘Thakoor Bhowani Sing, his brother Suchet Sing, another brother, an uncle, and some relations - all men of consequence’ perished.

Assistant-Surgeon G. A. Burn had a long, hard and exhaustive military campaign through Central India, serving under Sir Hugh Rose at the sieges of: Rathghar, Garhakota, Jhansi, Kalpi and Gwalior. He was actively engaged at the battles of Banda, Betwa River, Kunch, and Mutha.

Assistant-Surgeon Burn was mentioned in Major Orr's dispatch No. 10 dated Camp Etowa May 14, 1858, for the Battle of Kunch. Major Orr reported that he had received instructions to realign his force by its left with the right of the 2nd Brigade at Oomree. ‘About eight o'clock the enemy appeared in force on my right flank where a large body of cavalry and infantry were making a determined advance on my position. A few artillery rounds held this force off. Having received orders to take the ground to my left I moved in that direction and took up a position in front of Oomree. In my front were some gardens and walled enclosures from which a heavy fire was directed upon our line. I ordered the gardens and enclosures to be taken and Lieut. Partridge, 23rd Bengal N.I. led two companies of the 5th Infantry Hyderabad Contingent, with whom he had being doing duty, forward and successfully managed to drive the enemy out.’ Burn’s name was amongst those mentioned by Orr for ‘the gallant, zealous and efficient aid they afforded me throughout the day, and at all other times.’

Combat Diary by Brigadier Jasbir Singh SM mentions Burn following the battle of Kunch, ‘Assistant- Surgeon Burn moved with the forward troops and saved lives by administering timely first aid to the wounded.’

Assistant-Surgeon Burn was similarly mentioned by Major Orr in his dispatch from Kalpi on May 28 1858.

The following incident took place later in the campaign. On the evening of 1 December 1858, Hare was relaxing in the mess with brother officers of the Contingent, when, ‘a sudden report of a musket fired into the room, startled the whole party and made them rise from the table. Captain Hare rose from his seat, but immediately afterwards exclaimed, “I am hit!” and fell to the ground. He was quickly raised by his brother officers, and placed on a sofa. Doctor Burn, the surgeon of the station, was sent for, and, on examining the wounds in the side of the victim, he pronounced them mortal. In ten minutes the murdered officer became insensible, and shortly after expired. After perpetrating the foul act, the assassin, a sepoy of the 5th Regt., rushed towards the lines, calling upon his comrades to rise, for he had performed a great deed; and shouting that next morning the victorious army of the King of Delhi would arrive on the parade ground, when every European must be put to death. Owing to the darkness that prevailed, the assassin escaped for a time, although the whole of the 5th Regt. - in which it did not appear he had any accomplices - turned out in search of him.

On 7 August 1860, at Hingolee, India, George Alexander Burn Esq MD assistant-surgeon 2d Cavalry Hyderabad Contingent, married Janet Marianne Woolsey, fifth daughter of the late Andrew Jameson, Esq, of Daphney House, County Wexford. She was a member of the famous Jameson whisky empire. They had issue 3 boys and 3 girls.

Janet Marianne Woolsey Burn died on 31 October 1874, and is buried at Bathwick-Smallcombe cemetery near Bath, Somerset. George Alexander Burn died on board S.S Hispania in the Red Sea on passage to England, 22 July 1883, of heat apoplexy and is commemorated on his wife's grave. Sold with a large and comprehensive file of research.