Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Central India (Asst. Apothy. R. McLeane, Bombay Med. Dept.) nearly extremely fine £400-500

Robert Loughton McLeane was born on 18 May 1834, at Belgaum, Bombay, son of Hector McLeane, Bombay Medical Department. Robert McLeane joined the Bombay Medical Department as an Assistant Apothecary on 19 January 1857, and is shown as doing general duty with the Poona Division.

During the mutiny he served with the 14th Light Dragoons, although he was on sick certificate for a period. The regiment was engaged at the affairs at Aurungabad, Mundesor, capture of Fort Dhar, and Garoria. It joined Sir Hugh Rode’s 2nd Brigade for the hot-weather campaign in 1858 and was engaged at the siege of Rathgurh, Barodia, siege of Garrakota, Bias River, the forcing of Muddenpore Pass, Chanderi, the siege of Jhansi, battle of Betwa, Koonch, Kalpi, Morar, and Gwalior. He appears to have been transferred to the Engineers at the latter part of the campaign, and in 1862 is listed as being attached to the medical staff of the Lunatic Asylum at Coloba. He disappeared from the service sometime between June and September of the same year. He was married at Coloba to Rachel Clegg on 8 March 1862, and a son, Robert Bailey, was born on 4 July 1863. Unfortunately Robert McLeane did not live to see his child as he died of consumption on 17 April 1863, aged 29. Sold with a file of copied research.