Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Ensign H L Ramsbotham 37th Bgl. NI.) good very fine £300-£400

Henry Lindsay Ramsbotham was born in London on 18 December 1837, and baptised at St Botolphs, Bishopsgate. He was educated at Charterhouse, was nominated for the H.E.I.C. Army by John Masterman M.P. and recommended by his father Doctor Francis H. Ramsbotham, M.D., of Portman Square.

He was examined and passed as a Cadet on 25 June 1856, took the overland route to India to join at Alexandria on 5 August 1856. Gazetted Ensign on 4 September 1856, and promoted to Lieutenant on 30 April 1858. The Indian Mutiny medal roll gives his services thus: ‘Ensign H. L. Ramsbotham doing duty with late 37th Regiment Native Infantry and subsequently a Lieutenant in 47th Regiment Native Infantry. Present with the 37th Regiment Native Infantry when that regiment and other troops mutinied at Benares on 4th June 1857 and was driven out of the station by European troops.’ The roll is noted: ‘Received by Doctor Ramsbotham 1st January 1863.’

Lieutenant Ramsbotham died on 18 January 1862 at his family home, No. 8 Portman Square, of ‘Accidental inhalation of Chloroform used for a medical purpose.’

In April 1855, Lieutenant Ramsbotham’s mother Mary was arrested for stealing four cambric handkerchiefs, the property of Mr John Moule, a draper of 54, Baker Street. The trial and scandal which followed was widely reported in the national press of the time. Questions were asked as to why a lady in such a privileged position in society would be driven to steal. Eventually, having been on bail of £1,000, she was dismissed at trial after a split jury. Subsequently, whenever a lady of position was tried for a similar theft, this case was generally stated as part of the defence.