PRIVATE J. BURRIDGE, 1ST BENGAL EUROPEAN FUSILIERS (THE POST 1880 1ST BATTALION ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS). Indian Mutiny Medal, 2 clasps, Lucknow, Delhi

THE INDIAN MUTINY MEDAL TO PRIVATE J. BURRIDGE, 1ST (BENGAL EUROPEAN) FUSILIERS (THE POST 1860 101ST ROYAL BENGAL FUSILIERS AND POST 1880 1ST BATTALION ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS), WHO AFTER SEEING SERVICE DURING THE INDIAN MUTINY AT THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT RELIEF OF BESIEGED GARRISONS ACTIONS, THE RELIEFS OF LUCKNOW AND DELHI, ALSO SAW SERVICE DURING THE NORTH WEST FRONTIER, UMBEYLA, CAMPAIGN OF OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1863. Indian Mutiny Medal, 2 clasps, Lucknow, Delhi (officially named in a slightly later style, as seen on a number of Indian Mutiny Medals issued to officers and men of the British army in the early 1860s, engraved in serifed capitals: Pte. J. BURRIDGE. 1st. BEN: EUR: FUS.). Attractively toned, Good Very Fine.

British Battles and Medals records a total of 611 Mutiny Medals to the 1st European Bengal Fusiliers 408 with clasps Lucknow and Delhi and 203 with single clasp Lucknow.

Medal accompanied by 4 pages copied discharge papers, which confirm Indian Mutiny Medal with clasps Lucknow and Delhi, and copied extract North West Frontier (Umbeyla) Medal roll, confirming Burridge was also entitled to the IGS Medal 1849-94 with Umbeyla clasp.

James Burridge was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire, circa 1829. He enlisted into the 101st Royal Bengal Fusiliers for a term of 10 years on 27/6/1849. At the time of enlistment Burridge was 20 years and 4 months old and gave his trade as labourer. Burridge sailed for India aboard the Alfred, arriving in 1849. When the soldiers of the East India Company regiments were given the option of resigning or transferring to the British army, Burridge opted to transfer to the British army, transferring to the 101st Royal Bengal Fusiliers on 27/6/1859. Burridge never rose above the rank of Private and was discharged at Bromley on 20/7/1865, at “his own request”. At the time of discharge Burridge’s conduct whilst serving with the colours was “very good” and he gave his intended place of residence as Melbourne, Australia. In addition to service at home, Burridge saw service in India for 15 years and 8 months.

Burridge was also entitled to the Indian General Service Medal 1849-54 with Umbeyla clasp.