Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Ensn. J. E, Kennedy, 74th N.I. Attd. 1st Bengal Eurn. Regt.) very fine £400-£500

James Edward Kennedy was born at Chugrabanda on 5 February 1841, eldest son of Major-General J. D. Kennedy, Bengal Army. He was appointed Ensign in the 74th Bengal Native Infantry on 12 June 1858, which regiment had mutinied at Delhi on 11 May the previous year. On the outbreak of the Mutiny the Cadets of the H.E.I.C. Forces, mostly boys of sixteen or seventeen, known throughout India as ‘Griffins’ or ‘Little Griffs’ were attached to various regiments, as most of the regiments they were to have joined had mutinied. Hence, Kennedy was attached to the 1st Bengal European Fusiliers and served with them during the Oude campaign of 1858-59 (Medal).

Whilst serving in the 11th Bengal Native Infantry during the campaign in Bhootan, he died of cholera at Julpesh, near Julpigoorie, on 21 May 1865. He is commemorated by name on the memorial to the Bhootan Field Force 1864-65 at St Paul’s Cathedral, Calcutta.

‘Lieutenant Kennedy, who had joined us, died on the march from cholera. The heat was excessive, sultry and oppressive to a degree, as rain fell during the night, and a very hot sun succeeded it in the morning, and added to this a perfect stillness in the air made it almost unbearable’ (Recollections of a Lucknow Veteran by J. Ruggles refers).