1st BTN 10th Foot -Lincolnshire Regiment
Unless otherwise stated, the men in the following list were killed in action during the first relief under Captain Dunbar. This force consisted of 400 men. In all 170 were killed and 120 wounded.
Captains
Erskine, Henry Jones – Dangerously wounded at Arrah. Died of wounds (the casualty roll speaks of Captain Erskine; the accounts call him Ensign Erskine)
Dunbar, Charles
Sandwith, F.B – Slightly wounded
Lieutenants
Medhurst, J.W., wounded
Colour Sergeants
Holland, Daniel
Corporals
Callanan, Richard – Wounded
Duigan, James – Wounded
Glover, William
Ryan, Patrick
Sullivan, Daniel
Privates B-E
Brandon, Benjamin
Brian, Jeremiah
Brooks, Edward
Bryan, Maurice
Burrows, James
Butler, William N.
Byrne, John
Byrne, John
Byrne, John
Byrne, John
Byrne, Luke
Cain, Joseph – Wounded
Capper, Robert
Carroll, Thomas
Carter, Richard – Wounded
Connolly, William – Wounded
Costello, John – Wounded
Cummins, John
Donnell, Michael
Drake, James – Wounded
Else, John – Wounded
Privates F-L
Foley, Patrick
Haines, William
Hallman, Martin
Hudson, Patrick
Hughes, John
Humphries, Aaron
Kelly, Thomas
Kennedy, Owen
Larkin, William
Leaman, Thomas
Privates M-W
McGee, Denis
McLean John
Mongey, John
Morrissey, John
Moss, William -Wounded
Murphy, James
Murphy, Thomas- Wounded
O’Connell, Denis – Wounded
Ogden, John
Phillips, John
Quaile, John
Ryan, Patrick
Scarfe, Joseph
Stacey, Alexander
Stewart, Roy – Wounded
Studdart, Thomas
Sullivan, Patrick
Swift, Thomas – Wounded
Towey, Hugh
Walsh, John – Wounded
Warren, Teddy
Whelan, Stephen
37th Foot – 1st Royal Hampshire Regiment
Lieutenants
Bagenell, George
Birkett, Edward – Aged 21. Son of the late Revd. James Birkett, Ovingham, Northumberland.
Ensigns
Sale, Edwin Stephen – Son of John S. Sale, of Rugby.
Colour Sergeant
Gosnelle, W. – Slightly wounded
Sergeants
Baxter, A. – Wounded
Dunderdule, J.
King, H. – Wounded
Saunders, G. – Wounded
Corporals
Brown, S.
Clinch, R.
Coggan, G
Lear, G. – Dangerously wounded. Died of wounds.
Musk, J.
Quick, R.
Stugg, J.
Varion, E. – Dangerously wounded. Died of wounds.
Wichelloe, K.- Dangerously wounded
Wilson, J.
Privates A-F
Andrews, W. – Wounded
Bailey, T.
Bosworth, S. – Wounded
Bradshaw, G.
Briscoe, J. – Severely wounded
Carson, S.
Collier, H.
Connell, J.
Courtney, E. – Wounded
Creedon, D.
Crummey, J.
Curran, P. – Wounded
Curry, T. – Severely wounded
Discombe, G.
Dougher, M.
Dunster, T.
Egan, P.
Finch, M.
Flynn, T.
France, G.
Privates H-K
Haldean, T.
Hallis, John
Hassell, T.
Hawkes, K
Housel, J.J. – Dangerously wounded, died of wounds
Howse, W.
Irvine, J.
Kelly, M.
Knott, W.
Learey, D.
Littledike, M.
Long, S.
Lynch, Johnathan
Privates M-W
McCabe, P.
McConnel, D.
McCormick, T.
McGifford, J. – Wounded
McLean, T.
McMillan, T.
McNamara, F. Dangerously wounded
Maher, M.
Marshall, W.
Miles, M.
Mitchell, T. – Wounded
Moon, J. – Severely wounded
Mooney, T.
Newman, M.
Nicholis, B.
Norton, J.
Osbourne, W.
Phillips, W.
Piper, J.
Poole, R.
Porter, G.
Purcell, J.
Reynolds, M.
Roberts, J.
Robinson, J.- Severely wounded
Rowe, W.
Scott, T.
Sherry, R.
Skeer, G.
Smithers, W.
Stagg, J.
Storey, J.
Tawney, J. – Dangerously wounded, died of wounds
Taylor, T. – Dangerously wounded.
Thompson, E.
Venn W.
Vine, R.
Washington, C. – Wounded
Wood, W.
Wymark, T.
7th and 40th BNI
7th BNI Lieutenant Ralph Mitford Ingilby (also spelled Ingelby)
40th BNI Ensign E. Venow, 40th BNI, wounded
10 Civilian Volunteers took part in the first relief:
William Fraser McDonell – wounded slightly when a bullet grazed his thigh
“Of the volunteers who went with the troops, eight were killed, two wounded, poor Garston badly, shot right through the body from hip to hip, myself slightly
in two places…young Mangles…was knocked on the head and stunned for some ten minutes…” (William McDonell, “A Turning Point in the Indian Mutiny”- I. Giberene Sieveking)
At 24, Ross Mangles was one of the youngest volunteers and Tayler was loath to let him go. With McDonnel he had had little choice; McDonnel knew the country well and could act as a guide; but Mangles was going to Arrah from personal obligation to Herwald Wake who was a friend not just to McDonell but to Mangles. They were going to save a friend and Tayler could not deny them their efforts.
As has been said, this is a work in progress – the names and fate of the volunteers is still being researched!
In “Reminiscences of Behar” by Minden Wilson, there is the following passage:
“My nearest neighbour was Ferrier at Attur factory. I saw very little of him. He died soon after my arrival and was succeeded by Ogilvy who left to go to the army, and was followed by Garstin. Garstin afterwards took up an appointment as road-engineer in Sarun, which berth he held for some time. During the mutiny he volunteered, with the force from Dinapore, to relieve Arrah….and he narrowly escaped with his life. A shot grazed his spine, and paralyzed his legs. Fortunately one of Rattray’s Sikhs – a big tall fellow – who saw him fall, came to his assitance, and having got him, mounted on his back, half carried , half dragged him along to the river bank, when the fire of the mutineers having become to warm, the Sikh dropped him and made for a boat. Fortunately he was seen by Venour and Waller of the 40th Native Infantry who rescued poor Garstin for the moment by lifting him into one of the boats. They, however, had to leave him to his fate, as Venour had been shot through the leg while in the boat and Waller and he jumped overboard and swam for their lives.
It was here that Fraser McDonell crossed the river, and at the risk of his life, rescued G- and many other badly wounded men.”
Following on to 1865, the book by Minden Wilson gives a rather sober entry on the eventual fate of W. Garstin:
“On this day we buried my old friend W. Garstin. He was found dead on the road the evening before. He had been at a ball given at the house where our present Collector
lives and driving home seems to have fallen dead out of his trap. Poor Garstin was a gallant chap. During the Mutiny he volunteered to go out with the troops at Dinapur to relieve Arrah…Garstin was wounded in the spine, which was grazed, and it was found at the post mortem that the base of his skull was affected and this caused his sudden death. Garstin was a nephew of Colonel Garstin who built the Golghur at Patna. The Soubah Behar Mounted Rifles escorted the hearse to the burial ground in recognition of his gallant services during those troublous times.”
Rattray’s Sikhs
One man of Rattray’s Sikhs was severely wounded during the siege of Arrah house. The complement of Sikhs comprised of one Jemadar, two Havildars, two Naiks and 45 privates, along with their own cook and bhisti (water carrier).
H.C. Wake wrote:
“I most earnestly beg the Lieutenant Governor, will signally award the whole of our gallant little detachment of Seikhs, whose service and fidelity cannot be overrated. The Jemadar should at once be made Subadar, and many of the rest are fit for promotion, and when required I will submit a list with detail.” (Communication by H.C. Wake, Magistrate of Shahabad, to W. Tayler, Commissioner of Patna Division)
A 70-man party of Rattray’s Sikhs commanded by Lieutenant Ralph Mitford Ingilby (Ingelby) of the 7th BNI, was present with Captain Dunbar’s ill-fated expedition. They are said to have “…proved that they were still animated by the same spirit which had formerly extorted the respect of the conquerers in many a fierce and dubious battle in the open field. Setting shoulder to shoulder, they fought their way to the boats in unbroken order and found that in such a strait the most honourable course is likewise the safest.”
They had shown their fortitude in more way than one – during the retreat to the boats, one young officer, dispairing of the disorder of his men, hoarse with yelling and exhausted, sat down on the ground with every intent to give up.
One of the Sikhs, seeing the despondent young man, offered the following words of encouragement,
“Cheer up, you’ll live to see it through; hold on while you can, and rely on it you’ll never be taken alive, for, the moment I see you have given in, I’ll knock your brains out on the spot.“
The words had the desired effect – thinking the burly Sikh was just about the execute his well-meaning threat, the young man jumped up at once and the Sikh eventually managed to get him to a place of safety.
Lieutenant Ingilby was killed in action. Whether he really said, “Farewell my Grenadiers!” before he sank to his death could very well be a flourish added for Victorian readers; according to McDonell, Ingilby was shot in the head and fell overboard. I have not been able to ascertain the names of any of Rattray’s Sikhs who participated in the first relief nor those present at Arrah House. This too, is an ongoing project.
In the subsequent action against Kunwar Singh’s stronghold in Jugdispore later on in the year, 150 of Rattray’s Sikhs would be placed by Vincent Eyre under the command of Mr. Wake, the magistrate who led the defence of Arrah house.
Jemadar Singh was promoted to Subedar; he and his men received a gratuity of 12 months’ pay and promotions.
Rattray’s Sikhs received the Defence of Arrah (1857) battle honour, followed by the Bihar battle honour (1857) for their role in safeguarding the area – uniquely, they were the only unit to receive these honours for their gallant and exemplary conduct. These added to the Colours of the 45th Sikhs.
(I have recently started to look into the possiblilty of obtaining the names of the men in Rattray’s Sikhs who fought in 1857 as they deserve to be listed. Hopefully I shall be successful).
Officers and Volunteers serving with the Field Force for the Relief of Arrah
The Second Relief of Arrah under Major Vincent Eyre numbered 220 men.
Bengal Artillery
Major Vincent Eyre, Bengal Artillery, Commanding
Assistant Surgeon Alfred Eteson
Staff Sergeant Melville
Sergeant Clifford
Sergeant Lowe
Sergeant Knox
36 rank and file
H.M. 5th Fusiliers
Captain Ferdinand W. L’Estrange
Captain A. Scott
Ensign Lewis
Ensign F. Oldfield
Ensign M. Mason
Assistant Surgeon J.H. Thornton
154 Rank and File
Lieutenant Wild, 40th BNI, Interpreter and Quarter Master
Captain the Hon’ble G.P. Hastings, 32nd NI, Staff Officer
Officers of the Bazar Stud
Lieutenant Jackson, 12th NI
Veterinary Surgeon Liddal
Mr. John Henry Bax, Joint Magistrate, Ghazipore (later in life he would be Bax-Ironside and is thus noted in various accounts)
The Buxar Gentlemen Volunteers
Messrs
C. Kelly, leader
Barbor
Tablock
R. Burrows
W. Nelson
A. Nicholt
Lachlan
Tarby
J. Hughes
Landella
Thomson
Macdonald
W. Grimes
Return of Casualties
H.M.’s 5th Regiment, 2nd of August
Officer
Ensign Oldfield slightly wounded by a musket-ball in the chin
Corporal No. 1 Company
Grimsdall – Gun-shot wound of left thigh, slight
Privates No. 1 Company
Bolan – Gun-shot wound of wrist, severely wounded
Love – Gun-shot wound of ankle, slightly wounded
Privates No.2 Company
Baconham – Contusion of back by spent ball, slightly
Jackson – Gun-shot wound of right thigh, severely wounded
Bennet – Gun-shot wound of left hand, severely wounded
Clements – Gun-shot wound of eft thigh, slightly wounded
Warren – Gun-shot wound of right shoulder, slightly wounded
1st Company, 5th Battalion Artillery
Gunner T. Hayes – Killed, ball through the neck
Gunner T. Hickey – Killed, ball through the temple
Sergeant John Knox – Wounded severely, ball through the arm
Gunner M. M’Carthy – Wounded severely, ball in the cheek
Gunner T. Dwyer – Wounded slightly, contusion
Gunner D. O’Brian – Wounded slightly, contusion
Sunkar Tent Lascar – Wounded severely, arm amputated
Two Camp Followers – Wounded severely
Men will forget what we suffer and not what we do. We can fight!
-Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Sources:
Letters and Dispatches Connected with the Relief of Arrah in August 1857 and with the Subsequent Operations in Doab and at Luckow under Colonel V. Eyre, C.B. (1867)
Brief Narrative of the Defence of the Arrah Garrison – Richard Vicars Boyle
Casualty Roll for the Indian Mutiny 1857-59 – I.T. Tavender
https://irondukeminiatures.co.uk/1857-uniforms-and-orgs-etc-2
By NIA3000 – At Maharaja college Campus, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=89613159
Mutiny Reflections 