Indian Mutiny Medal 1857-58, with clasp, 'Central India', awarded to Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel (later Major-General) Sir Edward Wetherall
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.
When the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859) started Wetherall was serving as Deputy Quarter Master General to the forces in China. He was sent to India and made Chief of Staff of Sir Hugh Rose's Central India Field Force. Present at the Battle of Kunch on 1 May 1858, Wetherall's horse was shot from under him during the rebel attack on Rose's camp at Gulauli on 22 May. He later commanded a field force in southern Oudh as brigadier, and on 3 November stormed the fort of Rampur Kussia, capturing 23 guns. Wetherall was awarded the CB and an unattached Lieutenant-Colonelcy for his services.
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 for 'Central India' was awarded to personnel involved in the operations in Jhansi, Kalpi, Gwalior and Rajputana between January and June 1858.
From a medal group awarded to Major-General Sir E R Wetherall (1808-1869), Scots Fusilier Guards.
NAM Accession Number
NAM. 1979-12-88-4
Copyright/Ownership
National Army Museum Copyright
Location
National Army Museum, Study collection
Object URL
https://collection.nam.ac.uk/detail.php?acc=1979-12-88-4