Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Indian Mutiny Victoria Cross group of three awarded to Colonel J. C. Campbell Daunt, Bengal Native Infantry, for two acts of conspicuous gallantry in October and November 1857

Victoria Cross, the reverse of the suspension bar inscribed on two lines ‘Lieut. J. C. Campbell Daunt, 11 (late 70) Bengal Native Infantry’, the reverse centre dated on three lines ‘Oct. 2. & Nov. 2. 1857’, fitted with ribbon buckle, reverse pin broken on this; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Lieut. J. C. C. Daunt, 70th N.I.) officially impressed naming; China 1857-60, no clasp (Lieut. J. C. C. Daunt, 11th Regt. N.I.) officially impressed naming, these two fitted with double ribbon brooch buckle as worn, together with an original studio portrait photograph, the campaign medals with light contact marks, otherwise good very fine, the Victoria Cross extremely fine (3)
£80000-100000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Richard Magor Collection of Medals Relating to India and Africa, and other Fine Awards.

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Victoria Cross London Gazette 25 February 1862: ‘John Charles Campbell Daunt, Lieut., 11th (late 70th) Bengal Native Infantry. Date of Acts of Bravery: 2 Oct. 1857. For conspicuous gallantry in action on 2nd October 1857, with the mutineers of the Ramgurh Battalion at Chota Behar, in capturing two guns, particularly the last, when he, in conjunction with Sergeant Dynon, of the 53rd Foot, rushed at and captured it by pistolling the gunners, who were mowing the detachment down with grape, one third of which was hors de combat at the time. Lieutenant Daunt is also recommended for chasing, on the 2nd November following, the mutineers of the 32nd Bengal Native Infantry across a plain into a rich cultivation, into which he followed them with a few of Rattray’s Sikhs. He was dangerously wounded in the attempt to drive out a large body of these mutineers from an inclosure, the preservation of many of his party on the occasion being attributed to his gallantry.’

Sergeant Denis Dynon, of the 53rd Foot, was also awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry at Chota Behar on 2nd October 1857.

John Charles Campbell Daunt, who was born at Autranches, Normandy, on 8 November 1832, was first commissioned as Ensign in the 70th Bengal Native Infantry on 20 July 1852, and promoted to Lieutenant on 20 July 1857. He served during the Mutiny, in 1857, as Baggage-Master to the column commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Fisher, 27th Madras Native Infantry, and during 1857-58, as Interpreter to the column commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel English, H.M’s 53rd Foot. He was present at the attack and defeat of the Ramghur Light Infantry Battalion at Chuttra, Chota Nagpore, 2nd October 1857, on which occasion his conduct was brought to the especial notice of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief. Whilst serving under Colonel English he was entrusted with the Secret Intelligence Department, and also commanded a 4-gun Bullock Battery on service.

Lieutenant Daunt was subsequently present at the attack and defeat of the 32nd Native Infantry mutineers at Nowadah, Behar, on 2nd November 1857, being severely and dangerously wounded. His conduct was again brought to the notice of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, for submission to Her Majesty, for the decoration of the Victoria Cross (V.C. and Medal, and thanks of the Government of Bengal).

Lieutenant Daunt served in China in 1858, having rejoined the 70th Native Infantry at Canton on 1 April of that year. He was present at the affair with the Braves at the White Cloud Mountains, at the repulse of the Chinese at the Landing Pier and at the Magazine Hill (Medal).

Daunt entered civil employ in April 1862 and became a District Superintendent in the Bengal Police Department, a position which he held until his death. He received the brevet of Captain in July 1864, was confirmed in that rank in September 1866, and thereafter received promotion to Major in July 1872, to Lieutenant-Colonel in July 1878, and to Brevet Colonel in July 1882. Colonel J. C. Campbell Daunt died at Bristol on 15 April 1886, in his 54th year.