Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A good Indian Mutiny Medal to Major F. R. N. Fortescue, 73rd Bengal Native Infantry, who suppressed an attempted mutiny within his own regiment, by shooting dead the ringleader

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Lieut. F, Fortescue, 73rd N.I.) good very fine £400-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards for the Indian Mutiny 1857-59.

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Provenance: Spink, July 2005.

Frederick Richard Norman Fortescue was a native of Stephenstown, County Louth, Ireland. He was commissioned Ensign in the 73rd Native Infantry in 1845, and served with the Regiment during the Punjab Campaign, 1848-49. During the latter he took part in the expedition of Colonel King in pursuit of the Sikh Chief “Bhaee Maharaj”, in May 1848 (entitled Punjab 1848-49 Medal).

Fortescue advanced to Lieutenant in 1851, and served with his Regiment on the Bhootan frontier throughout the Indian Mutiny. He was present with a detachment of the 73rd N.I. when they engaged with mutineers at “Madargunj” in 1857. He commanded a detachment, when forming a portion of the force under the command of Captain the Honourable E. Curzon, when they were employed against and in the pursuit of rebels and mutineers along the Bhootan frontier. Fortescue led his detachment in the successful night attack on mutineers at “Phoolbaree” in 1857. He was thanked by the officer commanding for his conduct and that of his men while under his command.

Colonel Sherer, commanding at Julpigoree, publicly thanked Fortescue for his prompt and energetic conduct in suppressing an attempt at mutiny in the 73rd N.I, September 1857. He had achieved this by shooting the ringleader. Having advanced to Major, he died of Cholera in Meerut, in September 1867.