A Crimean War ‘Legion d’Honneur’ and India Mutiny ‘Lucknow’ Group of 4 awarded to Lieutenant Stuart John Mildmay Maxwell, “E” Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, who was picked out for having ‘galloped his Flanders wagons right into the trenches’ with the aim of providing additional gunpowder during the bombardment of Sebastopol, and who was later wounded in action at Jugdeespore in June 1858 during the Indian Mutiny, comprising: Crimea, 1854-56, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Lieutt. S. J. M. Maxwell. Rl. Horse Arty), engraved ‘Hunt & Roskell’ style in smart upright capitals; Indian Mutiny, 1857-58, single clasp, Lucknow (Lieut. S, J, M. Maxwell, Rl. H. Art.); France, Legion d’Honneur, Second Empire Type (1852-70), Knight’s breast badge in silver and enamels with a gold centre, some damage to finial points and to white enamels; Turkish Crimea, British issue, by Hunt & Roskell, unnamed as issued; Group loose, first, second and fourth with silver-gilt claw-type top bars upon ribbons, the latter marked ‘Hunt & Roskell to reverse, campaign medals generally good very fine, LDH nearly very fine only (4) Lieutenant John Stuart Mildmay Maxwell (1834-1860) was born on 8 March 1834 in the British Chaplaincy, Rome, the son of Captain George Berkeley Maxwell and Letitia Maxwell (née Clerk). Passing out from the Royal Military College in 1853, he enlisted for service with the Royal Artillery and received his first commission as Second Lieutenant on 22 June 1853. Promoted to Lieutenant on 20 June 1854, he joined the Royal Horse Artillery and was present in the Crimean War with “E” Troop / “H” Battery (3-clasp medal confirmed on the roll). Taking part in the Battles of Alma, Balaklava, the Russian Reconnaissance on 26 October 1854, the Battle of Inkermann and the Siege of Sebastopol, he was picked out for praise by his superiors for bringing a supply of powder to the guns, having ‘galloped his Flanders wagon right into the trenches’ during the bombardment of Sebastopol (as noted by ‘The History of the Royal Artillery (Crimean Period)’ by Jocelyn). While it has not been possible as yet to confirm the citation behind the award of his Legion d’Honneur from official sources, it seems very likely that this award, confirmed in ‘British Battles & Medals’, was made with this action in mind.Maxwell later travelled with “E” Troop to India to serve during the Mutiny, taking part in the skirmish at Pandora, the Capture of Miangunge, the Siege of Lucknow, and during the operations as Azimgaur and at Jugdeespore, where he was wounded in action in June 1858. He died in 1860 at the age of 26, cutting short a promising life and career.Ex Glendining, 29 May 1980

Estimate: GBP 800 - 1200