medal code j3280

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A SCARCE VICTORIA CROSS SIGNED CARTES DE VISITE OF GENERAL SAM BROWNE WHO WAS AWARDED THE VICTORIA CROSS FOR ACTIONS ON THE 31ST AUGUST 1858 DURING THE INDIAN MUTINY AT SEERPORAH, ROHILKAND, UTTAR PRADESH. DURING WHICH HE RECEIVED A SWORD CUT TO HIS LEFT ARM, AT THE SHOULDER, WHICH SEVERED THE LIMB. SUBSEQUENTLY THE INVENTOR OF THE EPONYMOUS SAM BROWNE BELT WHICH ALLOWED HIM STABILISES THE SCABBARD OF A SWORD IF WORN

“For having at Seerporah, in an engagement with the Rebel Forces under Khan Allie Khan, on the 31st of August 1858, whilst advancing upon the Enemys position, at day break, pushed on with one orderly Sowar upon a nine-pounder gun that was commanding one of the approaches to the enemys position, and attacked the gunners, thereby preventing them from re-loading, and firing upon the Infantry, who were advancing to the attack. In doing this, a personal conflict ensued, in which Captain, now Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel James Browne, Commandant of the 2nd Punjab cavalry, received a severe sword-cut wound on the left knee, and shortly afterwards another sword-cut wound, which severed the left arm at the shoulder, not, however, before Lieutenant-Colonel Browne had succeeded in cutting down one of his assailants. The gun was prevented from being re-loaded, and was eventually captured by the Infantry, and the gunners slain.”

Sir Samuel James Browne (1824-1901) was born on 3rd October 1824, but his place of birth was a subject of debate. Various obituaries for him state it was either Alnwick, Northumberland, Dinapur in India, or Barrackpore in India. He was the son of Dr. John Browne in the Bengal Medical Service so the two locations in India seem more likely. He followed his father into service though not through medicine, in the Honourable East India Company Army at the age of just 16 in 1840. He served with the 46th Bengal Native Infantry and took part in the 2nd Sikh War before transferring into the 2nd Punjab Cavalry in 1849. He rose to command the regiment in 1851 and by the time of the outbreak of the Mutiny in 1857, he was brevet major……………….

The above taken from the fine vconline website:

http://www.vconline.org.uk/sir-samuel-james-browne-vc/4586003953.html

A scarce original period VC recipient VC CDV.

Code J3280        Price £175