Indian Mutiny Medal 1857-58, with clasp, 'Defence of Lucknow', awarded to Sergeant John Ryan VC, 1st Madras European Fusiliers

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.

As Sir Henry Havelock's relieving force fought its way into Lucknow, two surgeons and a number of soldiers found themselves besieged in a house in the city. Under heavy fire, Private Ryan, with another man, rescued a wounded captain from a dhooly (covered litter) and pulled him to safety. Throughout the day, Ryan continued to rescue wounded men, thus saving them from certain death at the hands of the rebels. Ryan was decorated with the Victoria Cross by Lieutenant-General Sir James Outram, KCB in India in 1859. He also received the Indian Mutiny Medal with a clasp for the Defence of Lucknow.

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. The clasp 'Defence of Lucknow' was awarded to the defenders of Lucknow and the relief force led by Sir Henry Havelock, encompassing the dates 29 June 1857 to 22 November 1857.