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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 32

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Jowaki 1877-8 (1443 Pte Willm West. 51st Foot), contact marks, edge bruising, nearly very fine

William West was born at Dorchester, Oxfordshire in 1841, were he worked as a Carpenter. Attesting with the Royal Artillery at Dover, Kent on 30 October 1860 as a Gunner he must have regretted his decision soon, deserting on 1 December. Having been caught and returned to service West transferred to the 51st Regiment of Foot on 1 December 1863.

He served in the East Indies for a total of slightly over eight years, taking part in the Jowaki expedition while there. During this sortie three British columns drove the Jowaki back towards their capital of Jemmu, taking the town they brought the tribe to peace talks but British conditions were refused. The expedition was a success however the conflict never officially ended.

West requested his discharged at Umbeylla in 1880 and returned to Britain where he was discharged at Netley on 29 March 1881. He listed his intended place of residence as North Morton, Near Wallingford, Berkshire although he also appears on the register of the Royal Hospital Chelsea as a Chelsea Pensioner.

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Sold for
£180

Starting price
£100