Edward Hilton
Encyclopedia
Edward Henry Hilton was a former pupil of La Martiniere Boys' College
in Lucknow
, Uttar Pradesh
, India
, who was involved in the siege of Lucknow
and the defence of the Residency during the Indian Mutiny of 1857
. His father William Hilton was the Sergeant Instructor at the College and was also involved in the siege. Hilton was seventeen years old at the time and played an active part in the fighting. He wrote an eye-witness account of the battle which is an invaluable record for historians. His father, William, was awarded an Indian Mutiny Medal
, but Edward seems to have missed out on this honour. Hilton later married Ellen Saunders, a girl who had shared the experience with him, and they lived to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary.
Hilton lived throughout his life in Lucknow and was privileged to serve as a guide and narrator when the Residency was visited by Royalty and other dignitaries. In his obituary in The Times it was reported that "He never tired of the epic story, and told it with freshness and zest, readily answering any questions the visitor might put." He was the author of two guide books to Lucknow.
Hilton was buried with full military honours in the graveyard attached to the ruined Residency. The mourners included the head of the province, the general officer commanding the Lucknow district, and the principal residents.
La Martiniere Lucknow
La Martinière College is an educational institution located in Lucknow, the capital of the Indian State of Uttar Pradesh. The college consists of two schools on different campuses for boys and girls. La Martinière Boys' College was founded in 1845 and La Martinière Girls' College was established...
in Lucknow
Lucknow
Lucknow is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh in India. Lucknow is the administrative headquarters of Lucknow District and Lucknow Division....
, Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, who was involved in the siege of Lucknow
Siege of Lucknow
The Siege of Lucknow was the prolonged defense of the Residency within the city of Lucknow during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. After two successive relief attempts had reached the city, the defenders and civilians were evacuated from the Residency, which was abandoned.Lucknow was the capital of...
and the defence of the Residency during the Indian Mutiny of 1857
Indian Rebellion of 1857
The Indian Rebellion of 1857 began as a mutiny of sepoys of the British East India Company's army on 10 May 1857, in the town of Meerut, and soon escalated into other mutinies and civilian rebellions largely in the upper Gangetic plain and central India, with the major hostilities confined to...
. His father William Hilton was the Sergeant Instructor at the College and was also involved in the siege. Hilton was seventeen years old at the time and played an active part in the fighting. He wrote an eye-witness account of the battle which is an invaluable record for historians. His father, William, was awarded an Indian Mutiny Medal
Indian Mutiny Medal
The Indian Mutiny Medal was a campaign medal approved in 1858, for issue to officers and men of British and Indian units who served in operations in suppression of the Indian Mutiny....
, but Edward seems to have missed out on this honour. Hilton later married Ellen Saunders, a girl who had shared the experience with him, and they lived to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary.
Hilton lived throughout his life in Lucknow and was privileged to serve as a guide and narrator when the Residency was visited by Royalty and other dignitaries. In his obituary in The Times it was reported that "He never tired of the epic story, and told it with freshness and zest, readily answering any questions the visitor might put." He was the author of two guide books to Lucknow.
Hilton was buried with full military honours in the graveyard attached to the ruined Residency. The mourners included the head of the province, the general officer commanding the Lucknow district, and the principal residents.
Publications
- The Tourist's Guide to Lucknow in five chapters by one of the beleaguered garrison. First published in 1894 by London Printing Press, Lucknow, pp163. A revised and illustrated ninth edition was published in 1916 by F W Perry, Lucknow.
- The Martiniere Boys in the Bailey Guard (Lucknow: American Methodist Mission Press, 1877, 18pp).
- Hilton's guide to Lucknow and the residency (Calcutta: H R Hilton, 1928, 108pp)
- The Mutiny Records, Oudh and Lucknow (1856-57), (Lahore: Sang-e-Meel Publications, 2004) ISBN 9693516303.