Indian Mutiny Medal 1857-58, awarded to Lieutenant Reginald William Sartorius, 6th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry

Silver, circular campaign medal with, on the obverse, a portrait of Queen Victoria wearing a diadem, with the inscription, 'Victoria Regina'. On the reverse is a robed figure of Britannia, wearing a helmet, holding a wreath and shield with a lion by her side. Above is the word 'India', while below are the dates, '1857-1858'. The medal is suspended on a red and white striped ribbon. The obverse of this medal was designed by William Wyon, Chief Engraver of the Royal Mint from 1828, and the reverse by his son Leonard Charles Wyon who also worked at the Royal Mint.

Reginald William Sartorious (1841-1907) was born on the Isle of Wight on 8 May 1841. After serving in the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859) Sartorious fought with the 72nd Bengal Native Infantry in the Bhutan War (1864-1865). 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.

The Indian Mutiny Medal was approved in 1858 and awarded to officers and men of British and Indian units who served during the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859). Qualification was widened to civilian and judiciary participants in 1868.

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