THE VICTORIA CROSS AWARDED TO ROUGH RIDER EDWARD JENNINGS, 'F' BATTERY, BENGAL ARTILLERY, HAS BEEN SOLD AT AUCTION BY NOONAN'S OF LONDON
14 February 2024



Two Victoria Crosses are known to this recipient, Rough Rider Edward Jennings, Bengal Artillery, The sale estimate was between £20,000 and £30,000. The sale hammer price realised £55,000. The identity of the purchaser has not been revealed.

It is not clear why there are two Victoria Crosses. The original Cross was sent to India but arrived too late as Jennings had already left the country. However, Queen Victoria wanted to present the VC to Jennings personally and had a second Cross made up for presentation which She did on the 9th October 1860. It is believed this Victoria Cross is the one that sold in this auction. The engraving does not match the other Clause 13 VCs and is not dated.

  • The engraving on the reverse of the Cross
  • ROUGH RIDER EDWARD JENNINGS
  • BENGAL ARTILLY
  • NOVR.
  • 1857

A second Victoria Cross, plus campaign medals, thought to be the original, resides with 'F' ( Sphinx ) Battery, 7th Parachute Battery, Royal Horse Artillery.


For the award of the Victoria Cross.

[ London Gazette, 24 December 1858 ]. Relief of Lucknow, Indian Mutiny, 14 November to 22 November 1857, Rough Rider Edward Jennings, Bengal Artillery.

For conspicuous gallantry at the Relief of Lucknow from the 14th to the 22nd of November 1857.


With Captain Hastings Harington, Gunner Thomas Laughnan, Gunner Hugh McInnes, and Gunner James Park all of the Bengal Artillery. Elected respectively, under the 13th clause of the Royal Warrant of the 29th January 1856, by the Officers and non-commissioned officers generally, and by the private soldiers of each troop or battery. Clause 13 awards were intended for overall gallantry by the entire unit where no one person or act could be singled out.


Medal entitlement of Rough Rider Edward Jennings - 'F' Bty, Bengal Artillery

  • Victoria Cross
  • Ghuznee Medal ( 1839 )
  • Sutlej Medal ( 1845-46 )
    • Reverse:
    • "Aliwal 1846"
  • Indian Mutiny Medal ( 1857-58 )
    • 3 clasps:
    • "Delhi" - "Relief of Lucknow" - "Lucknow"

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Iain Stewart, 14 February 2024