THE DUPLICATE VICTORIA CROSS AWARDED TO MR GEORGE BELL CHICKEN, A VOLUNTEER IN THE INDIAN NAVAL BRIGADE DURING THE INDIAN MUTINY, HAS BEEN SOLD AT AUCTION BY MORTON AND EDEN. |
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20 July 2022 |
The George Chicken Victoria Cross sold by the London auction house Morton and Eden is the duplicate Cross forwarded and presented to George Chicken's father in 1862. This particular George Chicken Victoria Cross now has the unusual status of being a duplicate but official Victoria Cross. The estimated sale price was between £150,000 and £200,000. The sale hammer price realised £280,000. The identity of the purchaser has not been revealed.( The 'original but unawarded VC' was sold at auction by Morton and Eden in 2006, see below ). For the award of the Victoria Cross. [ London Gazette, 27 April 1860 ], Suhejnee, near Peroo, Indian Mutiny, 27 September 1858, Mr George Bell Chicken, Indian Naval Brigade ( Volunteer ).
For great gallantry on the 27th September 1858, at Suhejnee, near Peroo, in having charged into the middle of a considerable number of the rebels, who were preparing to rally and open fire upon the scattered pursuers.
No VC investure took place owing to the death of George Chicken in May 1860 commanding the schooner 'Emily'.
George Chicken returned to Calcutta on 30th November 1859 and in March 1860 was given command of H.M. Schooner 'Emily' which was subsequently lost at sea with all hands in a violent squall off Sandheads in the Bay of Bengal in May 1860. |
The Victoria Cross sold by the London auction house Morton and Eden is believed to be the original VC prepared and forwarded to India for presentation to George Chicken before his death had become known by the War Office. After Chicken's untimely death in May 1860 the Cross should have been returned to England, but appears to have been either lost or retained in India. This particular Chicken Victoria Cross now has the unusual status of being an original but unawarded VC, while a duplicate but official Victoria Cross was duly presented to George Chicken's father in 1862. The Victoria Cross was purchased for £48,000 on behalf of the Michael Ashcroft Trust, the holding institution for Lord Ashcroft's VC Collection.
For the award of the Victoria Cross. [ London Gazette, 27 April 1860 ], Suhejnee, near Peroo, Indian Mutiny, 27 September 1858, Mr George Bell Chicken, Indian Naval Brigade ( Volunteer ).
For great gallantry on the 27th September 1858, at Suhejnee, near Peroo, in having charged into the middle of a considerable number of the rebels, who were preparing to rally and open fire upon the scattered pursuers.
No VC investure took place owing to the death of George Chicken in May 1860 commanding the schooner 'Emily'.
George Chicken returned to Calcutta on 30th November 1859 and in March 1860 was given command of H.M. Schooner 'Emily' which was subsequently lost at sea with all hands in a violent squall off Sandheads in the Bay of Bengal in May 1860. |
Iain Stewart, 20 July 2022