India General Service Medal 1854-95, Lieutenant R W Sartorius, 72nd Bengal Native Infantry (metal)

India General Service Medal 1854-95, with clasp for ‘Bhootan’, awarded to Lieutenant R W Sartorius, 72nd Bengal Native Infantry. The clasp on this medal refers to Reginald William Sartorius’s service in the Bhutan War (1864-1865). Reginald William Sartorious (1841-1907) was born on the Isle of Wight on 8 May 1841. After serving in the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859) Sartorious fought with the 72nd Bengal Native Infantry in the Bhutan War (1864-1865). With the 6th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry, Sartorious was later awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry during the 2nd Ashanti War (1873-1874), in present day Ghana. At Abogoo, on 17 January 1874, he rescued a wounded comrade under heavy fire. Sartorious went on to serve in the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880), in which campaign his brother Euston also won the Victoria Cross. Reginald William Sartorious died on the Isle of Wight on 8 August 1907. From a medal group awarded to Major General Reginald William Sartorius, 6th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry.