Lot Essay
Lieutenant-General James Burn was born in January 1829 and was appointed an Ensign in December 1845, joining the 40th Regiment of Native Infantry in July of the following year. Advanced to Lieutenant in July 1851, he fought in the Second Burma War of 1852-53, when he was present at the storming of the Great Pagoda at Rangoon, and, between 1855-56, in the Sonthal Campaign. As outlined above, Burn - the 'very fat man' - next witnessed action on the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny and went on to serve as an Adjutant and Staff Officer in the Sasseram Field Force in 1858. This would appear to have been his last stint of active service, but steady promotion followed until he attained the rank of Lieutenant-General in August 1890.
Captain John Mitchell Evans was born in December 1825 and was appointed an Ensign in the 7th Bengal Native Infantry in December 1845. Advanced to Lieutenant in April 1852, he was serving as Adjutant of the Regiment at the time of the outbreak of mutiny at Dinapore, as described above. Evans next served as Second-in-Command of the Arakan Battalion, gained advancement to Captain in the 6th Bengal European Regiment in January 1859 and retired in May 1864.
Captain John Mitchell Evans was born in December 1825 and was appointed an Ensign in the 7th Bengal Native Infantry in December 1845. Advanced to Lieutenant in April 1852, he was serving as Adjutant of the Regiment at the time of the outbreak of mutiny at Dinapore, as described above. Evans next served as Second-in-Command of the Arakan Battalion, gained advancement to Captain in the 6th Bengal European Regiment in January 1859 and retired in May 1864.