George Cautley was born in Moulsoe, Bucks on 18 Jan 1809. His father was Rev Richard Cautley of Newport Pagnell. He was a cadet in 1824, arriving in India on 32 Feb 1826, posted to the 8th BLC and promoted to lieutenant on 17 May 1829. He was on furlough from 4 Dec 1829 until 7 Nov 1832. He was promoted to captain on 10 July 1844 and served with the 8th in the First Sikh War, at Ferozeshah, and the Second Sikh War, at Ramnuggur, The Passage of the Chenab, Chillianwallah and Goojerat. After the disbandment of the regiment in 1857 he joined the 5th European Light Cavalry and was promoted to major on 16 Aug 1859. He retired on 31 Dec 1861 with the honorary rank of major-general. He died at Jersey Lodge, Herne Hill on 1 Oct 1881. Jersey Lodge was the home of his son-in-law. He was buried at Old Chiswick Cemetery.
He was married on 2 Nov 1840, at Dehra Dun, to Emma Octavia daughter of George Christopher of Morton House, Chiswick, and Grangefield, co. Durham. One of his sons was Lieutenant George Lister Cautley who was murdered by mutineers at Gorukpore on 8 June 1857, aged 24. His brothers had an organ screen erected at Southwold Church in memory of their father in December 1889.
The medals were awarded to Captain George Cautley for his service in the two Sikh Wars. He was brigade major in Brigadier White’s cavalry at Goojerat and highly praised by White. The Sutlej Medal for the conflict in 1845-46 known as the First Sikh War has a blue ribbon with red edges, with, on the reverse, the figure of ‘Victory’ holding out a wreath. The Punjab Medal of 1848-49, for the campaign known as the Second Sikh War, has a dark blue ribbon with yellow stripes near the edges, and on the reverse, a mounted General Sir Walter Gilbert supervising the surrender of the Sikh chiefs. Cautley was awarded two clasps for CHILIANWALA and GOOJERAT. According to his record he was at Ferozeshah so should have received a clasp for FEROZESHUHUR.
