Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Abyssinia 1867 (Lieut F. J. Mortimer Rl. Horse Arty.) suspension rather crudely re-fixed with solder, otherwise nearly very fine and scarce to unit £400-£500

Francis James Mortimer was born on 9 December 1840. He was nominated as a Cadet for the Bombay Artillery and attended Addiscombe 1857-58. He was examined and passed on 21 July 1858, becoming Lieutenant in the Bombay Artillery; 2nd Captain, 29 July 1870; Captain, 5 July 1872; Major, 31 December 1878; Lieutenant-Colonel, 4 November 1884; Colonel, 4 November 1888. Served throughout the campaign in Abyssinia 1867-68, attached to the Transport Train; having proceeded to Zoulla with the Reconnoitring Party, was present at the action of Arogee and capture of Magdala, and was mentioned in despatches for ‘ability, energy, and zeal’: ‘As the only supply of water between the Bashilo and Magdala was under the evening’s fire, all the water-carriers of the force were organised under command of Captain Bainbridge, Transport Corps, with two subalterns, Lieutenant Mortimer, Transport Corps, and Lieutenant Ramsbottom, Transport Corps, for the purpose of carrying forward regular supplies of water from the Bashilo’ (London Gazettes 16 and 30 June, and 10 July, 1868 refer).