Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Indian Mutiny Medal awarded to Colonel E. C. Garstin, C.B., Executive Engineer, Bengal Staff Corps, the only East India Company Officer attached to the Royal Engineers during the Mutiny

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 2 clasps, Relief of Lucknow, Lucknow (Ensn. E. C. Gasstin, Attd. to Royal Engrs.) toned, good very fine £800-£1,200

Provenance: Sotheby, January 1973.

Indian Mutiny medal roll L/MIL/5/77 Folio 152: ‘Royal Engineers. Roll of Officers of the Hon. E.I.C. Service attached to the Royal Engineers who have been employed in the suppression of the Mutiny: Ensign E. C. Garstin. Relief of Lucknow & Lucknow. An Ensign of the 29th Bengal Native Infantry acting as Interpreter to the 23rd Co. R.E. has since entered the College of Roorkee.’

Ensign Garstin was the only East India Company Officer attached to the Royal Engineers during the Mutiny. The medal itself is named ‘Gasstin’.

Edward Charles Garstin was born at Meerut on 30 May 1837, and baptised on 17 June 1837, at Calcutta. He was educated at Grosvenor College, Bath, and Addiscombe; was nominated by for the H.E.I.C. Army by J. P. Muspratt and recommended by his father Colonel, Bengal Engineers. Gazetted Ensign, 13 June 1856; Lieutenant, 30 April 1858; Captain, 13 June 1869; Major, 13 June 1876; Lieutenant-Colonel, 13 June 1882; Colonel, 13 June 1886.

Ensign Garstin arrived in India on 23 October 1856. Proceeded with a detachment under Sir William Peel, R.N., and present at the action of Kudjwah, 1 November 1857; present with the 23rd Company Royal Engineers at the relief of Lucknow under Sir Colin Campbell, November 1857; at the battle of Cawnpore against the Gwalior Contingent, December 1857; present with the 23rd Company Royal Engineers at the action of Khudagunj and the occupation of Fatteghar, capture of Lucknow, attack on the Fort of Rooyah, action of Allygunj and capture of Bareilly 1858 (Medal with two clasps).

Although Ensign Garstin was attached to the 23rd Company Royal Engineers as an Interpreter, it is clear from the report of Lieutenant Knox R.E. on the demolition of the Fort of Tutteah on 29 December 1857, that Garstin was actively employed in the blowing of several mines. Garstin held his appointment with the Royal Engineers until 2 July 1858, when he entered Thomason College, Roorkee, and remained there until 1 November 1859. He was promoted to 2nd Grade Engineer, 12 November 1860; 1st Grade Engineer, 1 April 1865; Subordinate Magistrate of the 2nd Class for the purpose of enforcing the law, Bari Doab Canal; promoted Executive Engineer 3rd Grade, 1 September 1872; in charge of Bari Doab Canal 1st Division, 30 October 1872. Colonel Garstin died on 29 April 1909.

Sold with a cabinet portrait photograph of Colonel Garstin wearing his medal.