John Companys Cavalryman: the Experiences of a British Soldier in the Crimea, the Persian Campaign and the Indian Mutiny

The account of a brave and dashing cavalry officer during the turbulent years of the Victorian age 'Billy' Johnson came from a well known family in Lincolnshire. He chose the life of a soldier in the Honourable East India Company's Bombay Army and travelled to the sub-continent to serve with both the 6th Bombay Native Infantry and the Guzerat Horse. He was the consummate sportsman and his accounts of tiger hunting and pig-sticking make riveting period reading. Ever keen to be in action, Johnson took the opportunity to join British forces in the Crimea where his actions attached to the 20th Foot at Inkerman brought him to the attention of his superiors. Promotion and transfer to the 1st Oudh Cavalry followed; which could have spelt disaster, had not his enthusiasm for campaigning taken him on the Persian Campaign-John Company's last war-just as the conflagration of the Indian Mutiny erupted within the heart of his own regiment. Returning to the fray-and always confident of his own ability to command native troops-Billy Johnson commanded the remnants of the 12th Irregular Cavalry-comprised of loyal Sikhs-and together they held the distinction of being the only native cavalry within the British force during the Lucknow campaign where they were ever in the thick of the conflict.