THE MOUNTED GROUP OF SIX MINIATURES BELONGING TO MAJOR GENERAL REGINALD WILLIAM SARTORIUS VC CM

THE MOUNTED GROUP OF SIX MINIATURES BELONGING TO MAJOR GENERAL REGINALD WILLIAM SARTORIUS VC CM Who was awarded the Victoria Cross for saving a mortally wounded NCO under heavy fire at Abogu, Ashanti on 17th January 1874. Sold by direct order of the family. Major General Sartorius was the son of Admiral Sir George Rose Sartorius, GCB. He was born in Portugal on 8th May 1841 and educated at Victoria College. Along with his two brothers, Sartorius chose not to follow in his father's footsteps. Instead, he joined the Army aged sixteen on 29th January 1858. Even before the award of the Victoria Cross, his career was marked with bravery. During the Indian Mutiny, he served with the 72nd Bengal Native Infantry and was nearly killed when a shot passed through his cap, being wounded in the foot at the same time. This during the Relief of Azimghur when he offered to carry important despatches through the advancing enemy. For his service in the conflict, Sartorius was awarded the Indian Mutiny Medal with bar Central India. He had been promoted to Lieutenant in May 1859. Lieutenant Sartorius took part in the Bhutan Expedition and was awarded the Indian General Service Medal with bar Bhootan. He served with the 5th Bengal Cavalry. It was during the Third Ashanti War that Sartorius serving as a Major in the 6th Bengal Cavalry would win the Victoria Cross. During the conflict, he was with a detached column commanded by Captain Glover of the Royal Navy. Along with twenty-five of his men and with Forty rounds per man he was sent ahead to join up with Field Marshal Garnet Joseph Wolseley, 1st Viscount Wolseley at Kumasi. On the 17th January 1874 during fierce fighting at the attack on Abougu, Sartorius noticed a severely wounded Houssa NCO and succeeded in rescuing him for which he nominated for the VC. ' For having during the attack on Abogoo, on the 17th January last, removed from under a heavy fire Serjeant-Major Braimah Doctor, a Houssa Non-Commissioned Officer, who was mortally wounded, and placed him undercover.' Sadly the Houssa NCO did not survive. The award was announced in the London Gazette on 26th October 1874; he had also been Mentioned in Despatches twice during the conflict. Sartorius was invested with his Victoria Cross by Queen Victoria on 30th March 1875. He was awarded the Ashanti Medal with bar Coomassie for his service in the conflict. Throughout the war, he was accompanied by his dog 'Bell' whose picture is included with the group. Both became national heroes, and Sartorius was presented with a Gilt Metal collar for 'Bell' by the 'Ladies of Lancashire. Sartorius served in the Second Afghanistan War as a Lieutenant Colonel and was awarded the Afghanistan Medal with bar Ali Masjid. He was promoted to Colonel in 1886, and Major-General in 1895. Finally retiring in 1897 after nearly forty years' service. Sartorius was also appointed Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George. Major General Sartorius passed away on the Isle of Wight on 8th August 1908. He was laid to rest in St Mary's Churchyard, South Baddesley. Please see lot 307 for his brother's miniatures and lot 305 for his father's sword.