Auction Catalogue

1 December 2004

Starting at 10:00 AM

.

Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Grand Connaught Rooms  61 - 65 Great Queen St  London  WC2B 5DA

Lot

№ 428

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1 December 2004

Hammer Price:
£1,300

The Indian Mutiny medal to Sergeant Denis Megreth, 1st Bengal European Fusiliers, wounded at Delhi and awarded the D.C.M. for gallantry at Umbeyla

Indian Mutiny 1857-59
, 2 clasps, Delhi, Lucknow (Denis Megreth, 1st Eurn. Bengal Fusrs.) contact marks and suspension post a little slack, better than good fine £600-700

Denis Megreth was born inat Skull, County Cork and attested for the E.I.C. Infantry at Gloucester on 15 November 1850, aged 19. His discharge papers record that he was ‘wounded at Delhi 23 June 1857 musket ball right wrist.’

In May 1861 the Bengal Europen Regiment of Fusiliers was disbanded to become Her Majesty’s 101st Regiment (Royal Bengal Fusiliers), into which Corporal Megreth duly volunteered. Taking part shortly afterwards in the Umbeyla campaign, Megreth, now a Colour-Sergeant, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry in the attack on Conical Hill on 15 December 1863. The details were announced in the
London Gazette of 19 March 1864:

‘No. 696, Colour-Sergeant Denis Megreth, No. 9 Company - Was one of the first men in on the right of the Conical Hill, and saved Major Lambert’s life. Several men attacked Major Lambert, and his pistol missed fire twice. This soldier rushed in front of Major Lambert and bayonetted the leader.’

Sold with copy discharge papers and full research.