Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 19001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 594

Four: Private W. Wilson, 31st Regiment, late 13th Regiment

Ghuznee 1839, unnamed as issued, fitted with replacement silver bar suspension; Jellalabad 1842, Mural Crown, unnamed as issued, replacement loop and split ring suspension; Cabul 1842 (Wm. Wilson, 31st. Regt.), officially engraved naming, replacement swivel ball and straight bar suspension; Sutlej 1845-46, for Moodkee 1845, 1 clasp, Ferozeshuhur (William Wilson 31st. Regt.), light contact marks and wear, very fine (4)

William Wilson was born in 1817 at Birstal, Yorkshire, and attested for the 13th Regiment on 6 March 1835. Serving with the 13th Regiment in the East Indies from 12 November 1835, he was part of the Army of the Indus which concentrated at Ferozepore in December 1838. The invasion of Afghanistan commenced at the end of the year and Kandahar was taken on 26 April 1839, the column having marched some 1000 miles in 137 days.

On 23 July 1839, Wilson was part of the storming force which captured Ghuznee, followed by the forts above Cabul, including Julgal in 1840. He was involved in the several engagements forcing the Pass from Cabul to Jellalabad in 1841, and was present at the defence. He further took part in the sortie from Jellalabad on 7 April 1842, the actions at Jugdalluck on 8 September, Tezeen on 13 September and the recapture of Cabul on 15 September 1842. At Julgal the Regiment had 15 killed and 18 wounded, whilst the column had over 300 wounded by late 1841.
The Regiment returned to England in December 1844, but Wilson remained in India and transferred to the 31st Regiment. In December 1845, the 31st marched from Ambala to counter the Sikh incursions. At Moodkee the 31st suffered severe casualties including 35 killed, 134 wounded and 6 missing. Three days later at Ferozeshuhur, the Regiment lost a further 61 killed in action, 102 wounded and 18 missing. Wilson was listed among those wounded, suffering wounds in both legs. Returned home to England, he was discharged at Chatham on 27 April 1847; sold with copied service record.


Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£1,600