Hello Will,
I think I previously got my Bombays and my Bengals mixed up but at least he appears to be a close relative.
Captain Sturt, the father, was famous enough, at least in Australia, to make it onto the currency.
http://www.australianbanknotes.net/one_ ... /r33_r.jpg
Here’s an obit for the Major-General.
The Times (London, England), Friday, Dec 23, 1910
MAJOR-GENERAL C. S. Sturt.
Major-General Charles Sheppey Sturt, late of the Bombay Infantry, died yesterday at his residence near Barnstaple.
Born in 1838, he served in the Abyssinian Campaign of 1867 and the Burmese Expedition of 1886, and on both occasions was mentioned in despatches. He reached the rank of major-general in 1891 and 18 months later was placed on the unemployed supernumerary list. A man of a singularly generous temperament, he was most popular in the countryside. His hobby was engineering, and he was a member of the Fly Fishers' Club.
The Times (London, England), Monday, Dec 26, 1910
MAJOR-GENERAL STURT.
With reference to the death of Major-General Sturt, announced in The Times on Friday, a correspondent writes:—"He was the second son of the late Captain Charles Sturt, of the 39th Regiment, who was known to fame by his notable explorations in Australia between the years 1828 and 1846. Major-General Charles Sheppey Sturt himself was born near Varraville, in Australia, while his father was conducting from Sydney to Adelaide one of the first of the ‘overland' expeditions. Major-General Sturt inherited in a marked degree his distinguished father's love of natural history and botany and entomology and all kindred studies. These, and all kinds of open-air sport, as well as very neat mechanical and carpentering work, were his favourite pursuits."
The London Gazette should have his promotions but just in case here are some London Gazette entries from various newspapers, date shown is Gazette date.
22 July 1870 – Bombay Army – Late 6th Native Infantry: Lieutenant Charles Sheppey Sturt to be captain.
17 November 1874 – Late 6th Native Infantry Captain Charles Sheppey Sturt to be major.
17 December 1886 – Bombay Infantry, to be Colonel – Lieut. Col. and Col. in the Army Charles Sheppey Sturt.
Armorial Families has an entry specific to Charles Sheppey Sturt
http://archive.org/stream/armorialfamil ... 8/mode/2up
“Crest — On a wreath of the colours, a demi-lion rampant gules holding a banner also gules, charged with a rose argent, staff and fringe or.”
All the best,
Alan
The swords retailer dates the sword from 1853, but when the East India Co's lion was replaced with the VR in the swords guard I do not know, though the date would help narrow the candidates of ownership.
