Indian Mutiny Medal 1857-58. No clasp (G. Mitchell, 1st Bn. 60th Rifles,)

Medals & Clasp(s) Verification: In addition to the Indian Mutiny Medal with no clasp, No 1247 Private George Mitchell, 1st Battalion 60 Rifles is confirmed to have been prior awarded a Punjab Medal 1848 with 2 x clasps per the below referenced sources:

- Punjab Medal 1848 & clasps 'Mooltan' & 'Goojerat': The recipients extant service papers held at TNA refer
- Indian Mutiny Medal 1857-58. No clasp: WO 100/37

The recipients service papers - a very good detailed set - are extant & accessible at The National Archives

George Mitchell was a native of  the parish of Old Machar, Aberdeen, Scotland, where he was born in 1817. Prior to joining the British Army in he had been employed as a 'Tailor'. George attested for the British Army at Aberdeen, Scotland, on 25 October 1838, at which time he was 21 years of age. On enlistment he was posted to the 60th Rifles, and given the regimental number  No. 1247. George Mitchell took his final discharge from the British Army at Chatham on, 9 August 1859, at which time he was 41 years and 10 months of age. At discharge, due to being found unfit for further military service, he had racked-up 20 years & 3 days reckonable service towards pension.

Of his 21 years service with the British Army, George Mitchell's spent a total of 10 years 191 days overseas as summarised below:

- Mauritius: 06/10/1845 - 05/11/1845 (31 x days)
- East Indies including Upper & Lower Scinde & Punjab: 20/12/1845 - 02/07/1853 (7 years 195 days)
- East Indies: 06/12/1855 - 31/10/1858 (2 years 330 days)

During his many years overseas service in India, his service papers record:

Quote,

Was present at the siege and capture of Mooltan from 27 December 1848 to 22 January 1849; the campaign in the Punjab in 1848-49 including the battle of Goojerat, the surrender of the Rajah Sher Singh and the Sikh Army, the occupation of Attock and Peshawar, and the expulsion of the Amir Dost Mohammed beyond the Khyber Pass. A medal conferred for service in the Punjab Campaign of 1848/49 & one clasp for the capture of Mooltan, & one clasp for the Battle of Goojerat. Engaged on active service during the rebellion in India during 1857 - in dispersing the Insurgent Villagers in the Meerut District and destroying their villages.

Unquote.

George Mitchell was stationed at Meerut Cantonment on the day of the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny - a witness to one of the darkest chapters in British colonial history 

With reference to his character and conduct at discharge he was described as being 'Exceedingly Good'

In later years, George Mitchell was admitted as an 'In-Pensioner' at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London, and where he was residing as a 'Cheslea Pensior' when he died at the Royal Hospital on 25 August 1896 
 
Condition: VF

Code: 25701