Octavius Edward Rothney was born in London on 13 March 1824. His father was Alexander Rothney, a Sub-Inspector of Military Stores for the East India Company. He was educated at Christ’s Hospital and nominated for the Bengal Service, being commissioned in June 1841. His first posting was to the 45th Bengal Native Infantry, followed by the 11th Bengal Light Cavalry at Ludhiana. He served with them in the Sutlej Campaign against the Sikhs, and afterwards rejoined the 45th BNI for General Littler’s force on the Kashmir frontier.

In 1848 he became adjutant of the newly raised 4th Sikh Infantry, later transferring to the 3rd Sikhs as second-in-command in December 1851. They fought in General Mackeson’s campaign against the Hassanzais in 1853. Rothney returned to the 4th Sikhs as Commandant just before they went on active service in Burma in March 1854, fighting several engagements against the rebel leader Goung Gee.

During the Indian Mutiny the 4th Sikhs remained loyal and helped prevent a serious outbreak at Ludhiana. They then marched to Delhi, arriving on 23 June 1857, and played a prominent part in the siege and capture of the city. Captain Rothney received a brevet majority and was mentioned in despatches. In March 1858 he served on the Military Court that judged Bahadur Shah II.

In Sir Neville Chamberlain’s expedition against the Kabul Khel Waziris, the 4th Sikhs under Rothney fought at Maidanee. Following this he was appointed to command the Hazara Gurkha Battalion on 23 March 1860. He led them in operations against the Mahsud Waziris who had captured Tank. When the Gurkhas and Guides were attacked at Palosin by thousands of Waziris, Rothney’s Gurkhas and the 4th Sikhs arrived late but decisively, routing the enemy.

Rothney was then placed in command of the Field Force and met the Mahsuds at the Barari Pass. After a hard-fought battle the tribesmen were driven back. The force went on to capture and destroy Makin. Rothney was honourably mentioned in Colonel Lumsden’s despatch of 7 July 1860, and his appointment as Commandant of the Hazara Gurkhas was confirmed. In 1861 the unit was renamed the 5th Gurkha Regiment or Hazara Gurkha Battalion, Punjab Irregular Force. He was promoted to lieutenant-colonel in June 1867.

In August 1868 he led the regiment in an expedition to the Agor Valley to punish the Bazotee Black Mountain tribes. An early battle was unsuccessful and Rothney was slightly wounded. A larger force under Major-General A. T. Wilde returned in October, and the 5th Gurkhas, alongside the 1st Gurkhas, defeated the tribesmen at Mana-ka-Dana. The next day they supported the 20th Bengal Infantry in driving the tribesmen from Machai Peak. Rothney was again mentioned in despatches and appointed Companion of the Order of the Star of India (CSI).

Promoted to colonel on 10 August 1869, he declined the command of the Guides in April 1870 and remained with the Gurkhas until 1873. He later held a staff appointment at Agra, was appointed CB, and commanded Gwalior District. His final posting was as commander of the Lahore Division with the rank of brigadier-general. He retired in 1877 and lived in Tunbridge Wells, where he died on 1 January 1881, aged 57.

The photograph, taken around 1865, is a detail from a group of officers of the 5th Gurkhas. He is heavily bearded and wears the medal ribbon for the Indian Mutiny. All officers wear rifle green uniforms, though the Gurkha officers’ tunics are of noticeably poorer quality than those of the British officers.

These two medals barely do justice to the long, hard service that Colonel Rothney gave to the Indian Army. The crimson and white striped medal for the Indian Mutiny has only one clasp, for DELHI, while the India Medal 1854–95 has a single clasp for NORTHWEST FRONTIER. The medals were auctioned by Noonans in March 2017, selling for £3,600.