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| THE FIFTH AND UNTIL NOW, UNKNOWN VC MEDAL GROUP HAS FINALLY BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE SHEESH MAHAL COLLECTION, PATIALA, PUNJAB, INDIA. |
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| 16 September 2000 |
| The Sheesh Mahal Medal Collection was put together by Sir Bhupindar Singh, Maharaja of Patiala ( 1891 - 1938 ) in the 1920s. His son, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh ( died 1974 ) subsequently bequeathed the medal collection to the people of the Punjab on India gaining independence in 1947 and the collection now rests in the Sheesh Mahal Museum at Patiala. Although notionally open to the public, gaining entrance to the museum can be difficult. A few years ago the government of Punjab made noises about transferring the Sheesh Mahal Collection to the State capital Chandigarh, where the medal collection would be seen by many more visitors. However, it is believed that Amarindar Singh, the son of Yadavindra Singh, pointed out that the bequest in 1947 stipulated the collection remain in Patiala and threatened that any attempt to move it to Chandigarh would negate the bequest, and the collection would revert to to his private ownership. Included in the collection are five Victoria Cross medal groups, four of which were known, but the fifth VC group was never identified, until now. The Victoria Crosses known to be in the Sheesh Mahal Collection are:
The fifth and final Victoria Cross held in the museum, is the VC, Crimea Medal ( 3 clasps ) & Turkish Crimea Medal, awarded to:
Thomas Beach enlisted into the 92nd Foot ( The Gordon Highlanders ) but later when serving in the Crimea, volunteered to make up the ranks of the 55th Regiment ( The Border Regiment ) with whom he won his Victoria Cross. His deed took place during the Battle of Inkermann on the 5th November 1854. [ London Gazette, 24 February 1857 ]. Inkermann, Crimea, 5 November 1854, Private Thomas Beach, 92nd Foot ( Gordon Highlanders ) attached 55th Regiment ( The Border Regiment ). "For conspicuous gallantry at the Battle of Inkermann, 5th November 1854, when on piquet, attacking several Russians who were plundering Lieutenant-Colonel Carpenter, 41st Regiment, who was lying wounded on the ground. Beach killed two of the Russians and protected Lt-Colonel Carpenter until the arrival of some men of the 41st." ( The accompanying b/w photographs were taken through the glass cases containing the VCs ) A further discovery in the Sheesh Mahal Collection was that of a "New Zealand Cross" awarded to Assistant-Surgeon Samuel Walker for service during the Maori Wars ( 1860 - 1872 ). Only 23 crosses were awarded. The "New Zealand Cross" was instigated by an Order of Council, Wellington, New Zealand in 1869 to reward local volunteer forces to which the Victoria Cross was ineligible. The location of Walker's New Zealand Cross was, until now, unknown by the Army Museum Waiouru, New Zealand. ( This 'New Zealand Cross' can be viewed by selecting William Odgers and is placed above the VC group ). |
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Iain Stewart, 16 September 2000