Henry Otway Mayne
In the north cloister of Westminster Abbey is a memorial tablet to Henry Otway Mayne of the Indian Army. The white and grey marble tablet was repaired and slightly altered in 1960 as the original inscription section had decayed. Above is a coat of arms showing "argent, a chevron gules voided of the field between two pheons in chief sable and a fleur de lis in base azure, a bordure wavy of the last" with a crest of a hand holding a red cross, and a motto. At the base is the cypher and badge of the Central India Horse. The inscription reads:
To the Glory of God and in memory of Henry Otway Mayne, late Major in Her Majesty's Indian Army. Born 11th March 1819 and educated at Westminster. After serving his country as a faithful soldier he died a true servant of his God at Allahabad Nov. 2nd 1861. His widow Mary has caused this tablet to be erected
On a smaller tablet below:
To commemorate the raising of the Central India Horse 15 December 1857 this memorial was restored by his family.
He was the eldest son of Captain Charles Otway Mayne and his wife Emma (Taylor) and was born on 11th March 1819. At Westminster School he was a King's scholar and his brother Frederick was also there (he became vicar of Strood in Kent and married Elizabeth Blair). Henry joined the army and was a captain by 1855 and raised Mayne's Horse. In 1850 he married Mary Turner.
This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library
Image © 2024 Dean and Chapter of Westminster