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Auction: 21002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 65

Three: Colour-Sergeant J. Johnson, 24th Regiment of Foot, wounded in action during the Battle of Chillianwala

Punjab 1848-49, 2 clasps, Goojerat, Chillianwala (J. Johnson, 24th Foot.); Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (2538 J. Johnson 1st Bn H Ms 24th Regt); L.S. & G.C., V.R. (2558 Color Serjt John Johnson 1st Battn. 24th Foot), severe pitting on first and third, nearly very fine (3)

John Johnson served with the 24th Foot during the Second Anglo-Sikh War, being present at the battles of Chillianwala and Goojerat. He suffered a wound during bloody fighting over the Sikh guns at Chillianwala on 13 January 1849. Here the 24th were launched into a frontal attack against the Sikh guns, suffering appalling losses before they reached them. Upon making the enemy line and overrunning the guns, the survivors faced a major counterattack and after a ferocious hand-to-hand melee they were turned back. Whilst fighting with this regiment Brigadier Pennycuick was killed; his son Alexander (who served with the 24th), upon hearing the news, returned to the battle from the rear. He died whilst fighting to protect his father's body and was found lying next to him having been shot in the back. The commander of the 24th, Lieutenant-Colonel Brookes, was also killed during in the battle along with 14 officers and 241 men with another 10 officers and 266 men wounded. Despite all that effort, the battle was indecisive and the Sikh army withdrew from the field in reasonable order: the British were too battered to follow-up. It was not until the next month at Goojerat on 21 February 1849 that the war was decided. The 24th fought in Carnegie's Brigade under General Campbell, securing the left flank of the river Dwara.

Johnson was in India with the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny in 1857. At this time the 24th was garrisoning the Punjab and as such was largely isolated from the fighting. They did however play a role in disarming potential rebels, most notably at Jhelum where a large contingent, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Ellice, were heavily engaged in July 1857. Johnson was promoted Colour-Sergeant at some stage after the conclusion of the Mutiny and discharged on 24 September 1867 at Birmingham.

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Sold for
£1,000

Starting price
£400