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Auction: 23002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 33

Three: Private W. Pike, 40th Regiment of Foot

Candahar, Ghuznee, Cabul 1842 (Private William Pike H. M. 40th Regt); Gwalior Star 1843, Maharajpoor centre (Private William Pike 40th Regt); Army L.S. & G.C. (***am Pike 40th Regt 18**) contact marks throughout and with repair to one point of the second, otherwise nearly very fine (3)

William Pike was born at Ottery, Devon in 1818. Working as a Labourer prior to enlistment into the 40th (2nd Somerset) Foot at Exeter on 3 May 1838. He served 17 years 3 months abroad for his military service spending 6 years in India, 10 years 11 months in Australia and a total of 4 months in New Zealand.

Pike's time with the 40th saw him firstly serve in India and on the sub-continent including service with the First Afghan War 1839-42 and the Gwalior campaign of 1843 where the 40th suffered 182 casualties, with 8 Officers wounded, 23 Other Ranks killed and 151 wounded. The 40th returned to Britain and Ireland for a seven-year period, before it was sent back to Australia and was serving in New South Wales in 1852. Two years later, it helped suppress the Eureka Rebellion in Victoria; they then went to New Zealand and fought in the Second Maori War between 1860-61.

Pike's Character and Conduct sheet states: 'they have been very good, he is in possession of five good conduct badges of a medal for long service and good conduct, a war medal for services in India and a bronze star for the battle of Maharajpoor. He has ten entries against his name in the Regimental defaulter's book and has never been tried by Court Martial.'

Discharged at Birr, Ireland on the 23 August 1864 Pike registered his intention to return to Ottery, Devon; sold together with copied service papers.

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Estimate
£1,800 to £2,200

Starting price
£1800