Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Indian Mutiny Medal awarded to Colour Sergeant, later Captain, J. F. Stevens, 86th Foot, who served with Gordon during the Taiping Rebellion in 1863, and was awarded the Imperial Chinese Decoration of the Red Button

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Central India (Colr. Serjt. J. F. Stevens, 86th. Regt.) very fine £500-£700

John Francis Stevens was born in Galway on 10 November 1830 and attested for the 86th Regiment of Foot on 6 November 1852. Promoted Corporal on 1 July 1853, Sergeant on 20 February 1856, and Colour Sergeant on 26 August 1857, ‘he served with the 86th Regiment during the Indian Mutiny of 1857, and was present at the disarming of four companies of the 27th Bombay Native Infantry at Ratnagherry in August 1857. He served in the Central India Field Force under Sir Hugh Rose, and was present at the action of Koonah, the operations before Calpee, the battle of Morar, and the battle before and storm and capture of the town and fortress of Gwalior.’

Promoted Quartermaster Sergeant on 5 October 1858, Stephens was commissioned Ensign on 9 March 1860, transferring to the 99th Regiment of Foot on 30 November 1860. Promoted Lieutenant on 3 March 1863, ‘he served during the Taeping rebellion of 1863 as Adjutant-General to the Anglo-Chinese force under Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon, was present at the attack and capture by storm of the walled city of Taipan on 1 May, and also at the attack and capture of the walled city of Quinsan, including the taking of the rebel positions at the east and west gates of the city and repulse of the sortie of the garrison, which ended in the surrender of 2,000 rebels, together with the capture of numerous stockades and minor fortifications. For these services he received the Chinese Imperial decoration of the Red Button.’

Stephens transferred to the Half Pay list, with the rank of Captain, on 1 April 1870.

Sold with copied research including a photographic image of the recipient.