TROOPER F. CAVANAGH, BENGAL YEOMANRY CAVALRY. Indian Mutiny Medal, no clasp (officially impressed: TROOPER FRAs. CAVANAGH, BENGAL YEO. CAVy.).

TROOPER F. CAVANAGH, BENGAL YEOMANRY CAVALRY. Indian Mutiny Medal, no clasp (officially impressed: TROOPER FRAs. CAVANAGH, BENGAL YEO. CAVy.). A few minor edge nicks and rim bruises, otherwise Good Very Fine.

Medal accompanied by copied Indian Mutiny Medal roll for the Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry, which confirms that Trooper Francis Cavanagh saw service with the 4th Troop, Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry and was entitled to a no clasp Indian Mutiny Medal.

The Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry was formed at Calcutta by an Order published in the Calcutta Gazette in July 1857, following the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny, the regiment being raised from a wide variety volunteers, including young military officers recently arrived from Britain and not yet assigned to a regiment, officers left unemployed by the mutiny of their regiments, midshipmen from the P&O and other company’s ships, civilian clerks, indigo planters and other Europeans. It was a small unit that went into action 258 strong and saw service principally with the column commanded by Brigadier Francis Rowcroft, that operated in the upper provinces of Bengal and Oudh, and was often the only cavalry force present with the column, due to the general shortage of mounted units.

The regimental history “Volunteering in India” by John Tulloch Nash (London 1893) records the Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry as having been nicknamed shaitan – i – putani, the “Regiment of Devils” by the mutineers, as a result of the robust manner in which they campaigned. The history records the regiment as having taken part in no less than fourteen actions during the mutiny.

The Ancestry India, select births and baptisms 1786-1947 database records a Francis Cavanagh, born Sholapoor, Bombay Presidency, in 1836, the son of a Bombardier Francis Cavanagh of the 1st Troop, H (Horse) Brigade, Bombay Artillery. Perhaps the recipient of this medal.

Bombardier Francis Cavanagh was born in Kilmacoo, County Wicklow, circa 1803. He enlisted into the Bombay army at Dublin on 14/8/1826 (attested 16/8/1826) for unlimited service, giving his trade at time of enlistment as servant. Cavanagh sailed for India aboard the Lowther Castle on 1/1/1827, along with his wife, Elinor, and saw service in India as a gunner exclusively with the 1st Troop Bombay Horse Artillery. Bombardier Cavanagh died in India on 11/2/1842, his effects, valued at 64 rupees, 7 ann and 7 pie being inherited by his wife.

Another no-clasp Indian Mutiny Medal to a Trooper in the Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry was sold by Noonans on 11/9/2024 (lot 473). That lot sold for £1,200 (£1,545.60 including fees)