Ashantee War Medal 1873-74, with clasp for 'Coomassie', awarded to Captain R W Sartorius, 6th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry

Reginald William Sartorious (1841-1907) was born on the Isle of Wight on 8 May 1841. A veteran of the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859), Sartorious served with the 72nd Bengal Native Infantry in the Bhutan War (1864-1865). Serving with the 6th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry, Sartorious was awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry during the 2nd Ashanti War (1873-1874), in present day Ghana. At Abogoo, on 17 January 1874, he rescued a wounded comrade under heavy fire. Sartorious went on to serve in the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880), in which campaign his brother Euston also won the Victoria Cross. Reginald William Sartorious died on the Isle of Wight on 8 August 1907.

From a medal group awarded to Major General Reginald William Sartorius, 6th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry.