PRIVATE MARTIN DIXON, 3RD MADRAS EUROPEAN REGIMENT (2ND BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSIL

PRIVATE MARTIN DIXON, 3RD MADRAS EUROPEAN REGIMENT (THE POST 1860 108TH FOOT ADN POST 1880 2ND BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS). Indian Mutiny Medal 1857-58, 1 clasp, Central India (officially named, impressed in serifed block capitals: MARTIN. DIXON, 3rd. MADrs. EURPn. REGt.). Good Very Fine.

Medal accompanied by 4 pages discharge papers, extract Indian Mutiny Medal roll, confirming medal and clasp, and extracts British Army Worldwide Index for 1861 and 1871 (2).

Martin Dixon was born in the parish of Kilkeedy, near Clarina, Limerick, circa 1830. He enlisted into the East India Company army at Cork on 2/3/1854. At time of enlistment he was 24 years old and gave his trade as gardener. Dixon was among the men from the 3rd Madras European Regiment who volunteered to transfer to the British Army in 1859 when the 3rd Madras European Regiment became the 108th Madras Infantry, transferring initially for 2 years, but opting to extend his period of engagement at Jaulnah, India, to 11 years on 9/6/1862. Dixon was promoted Corporal, 6/11/1863, and Sergeant, 9/2/1864, was court martialled and reduced to Private on 28/6/1870, again promoted, Corporal, 1/4/1872, and Sergeant, 6/3/1872. He was discharged at Dublin with the rank of Sergeant on 25/3/1873, having served a total of 21 years and 25 days with the colours, including 15 years and 5 months in the East Indies. At time of discharge Dixon’s conduct while serving was noted as “very good”. and gave his intended place of residence as Limerick. The Indian Mutiny Medal was Dixon’s sole medal entitlement.

British Army Worldwide Index for 1861 records Dixon as being stationed at Jaulnah with the 108th Foot, whilst the entry for 1871 records him as serving with the 108th Regiment then stationed in Mullingar.