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Auction: 24003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 87

Pair: Sergeant J. Crowdy, 24th Regiment of Foot, who was wounded in the knee during his Battalion's famously bloody repulse at the Battle of Chilianwala on 13 January 1849

Punjab 1848-49, 2 clasps, Goojerat, Chilianwala (J. Crowdy, 24th Foot.); Indian Mutiny 1857-58, no clasp (2650 Corpl J Crowdy 1st Bn HMs 24th Regt), light contact marks, otherwise very fine (2)

John Crowdy was born at Thame, Oxford and was a gardener before enlisting into the 24th Foot at Westminster on 28 March 1846. Posted to India he was with the Regiment upon the outbreak of the Second Anglo-Sikh War when the British and Sikh Empires faced off at Chilianwala 13 January 1849.

Their Brigade was stationed in the centre of the British line, advancing toward a line of Sikh cannon with Brigadier John Pennycuick at their head. According to regimental tradition they did not once fire their muskets but relied entirely upon the bayonet during the attack. The result was carnage as attested to by the memoirs of Sir Henry Havelock of Lucknow fame who attests:

'Its advanced was daring in the extreme, but over-impetuous. It's British Regiment, the 24th, advanced with an ardour that seemed to promise victory; but while yet at a distance from the enemy it broke into too rapid a pace, outstripped its native regiments, and rushed breathless and confused upon the enemy's batteries. Close to the position it received a deadly shower of grape, and, while shattered by its fatal effects, was torn to pieces by a close fire poured in by the Bunnoo troops from behind a screen of jungle.'

Pennycuick was mortally wounded and died while being taken to the rear, his son, only an ensign stood guard over his father's body until he was cut down. Crowdy himself was also wounded in the knee from a match lock ball.

Advanced Sergeant on 1 February 1850 in which capacity he served until 25 May 1855, before being reduced back to Private at Court Martial. He returned to the rank of Sergeant on 1 May 1860 until he was discharged to Pension on 28 July 1862 as unfit for further service.

Crowdy was found to be suffering from due to chronic rheumatism and gout, likely from his having spent a total of 14 years and 10 months in the East Indies. His intended place of residence after his discharge was Buckingham.

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Estimate
£500 to £700

Starting price
£500