Indian Mutiny Medal 1857-58, with clasp, 'Lucknow', awarded to General William Martin Cafe, 56th Regiment of Native Infantry

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.

General William Martin Cafe (1826-1906) was born on 23 March 1826 and was the third son of the auctioneer Henry Smith Cafe and Sarah, daughter of William Waine of Witney. He was educated by Doctor Nicholas of Ealing, entered the Army as ensign in June 1842 and sailed for India in the same year. Cafe served in the Gwalior campaign of 1843 and in the 2nd Sikh War (1848-1849).

Cafe won the Victoria Cross on 15 April 1858 for his gallantry at the attack on Fort Ruhya during the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859). Alongside three privates, and under heavy fire, he rescued the body of Lieutenant Willoughby, who had been shot down whilst capturing a position. Whilst the others attended to Willoughby, Cafe then ran to the rescue of Private Spence, who had been severely wounded.

Cafe retired from the Army with the rank of general 1n 1883. He died at Wetherby Place, South Kensington, London, on 6 August 1906.

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 'Lucknow' was awarded to personnel who served under Sir Colin Campbell in operations leading to the capture of the city of Lucknow and the subsequent suppression of unrest in the surrounding area between November 1857 and March 1858.