Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Central India (Captn. C P Crossman Madras Army) claw tightened, otherwise good very fine £400-£500

Charles Percy Crossman was born at Walcot, Somerset, on 8 March 1829. He was educated privately and nominated for the H.E.I.C. Army by Charles Mills and recommended by his father Rev. F. G. Crossman. He was examined and passed on 5 August 1846, and travelled overland to India where he was appointed to the 41st Madras Native Infantry in 1847. He was appointed Assistant Engineer 2nd Class from 1 November 1856, to temporary charge of Jubbulpore Division. He transferred to the Department of Public Works of the Punjab in 1858 and, on 15 July, was promoted to the grade of 4th Class Executive Engineer and posted to Jubbulpore Division of the Saugor and Nerbudda territory. He was promoted to Captain on 18 February 1861, and retired to England on 24 September 1862.

In May 1865 he was jailed for bankruptcy ‘having incurred liabilities on account of the Hon. Richard Bethell, a son of the Lord Chancellor, and which he had failed to meet. Mr Lawrence on the bankrupt’s behalf, now produced a medical certificate, to the effect that further incarceration would be injurious to the health of his client, and asked that the order of release should be granted. Mr Spyer, who represented the detaining creditor, said he had seen the bankrupt, and he had no further opposition to offer. He said that a lengthened stay in Whitecross-street prison during the present hot weather could not be of service to any person, particularly to an officer who had seen service in India. The Deputy-Commissioner, in the absence of any opposition, granted an order for Captain Crossman’s release... in the course of the proceedings he stated that his failure arose from having incurred debts on behalf of the Hon. Richard Bethell. His liabilities for this person alone amounted to £3,750.’ Such an amount would today be the equivalent to nearly half a million pounds.

Captain C. P. Crossman died in London on 21 July 1874, aged 46.