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Auction: 24111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 28

(x) Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Captn. W. C. Clifton, 67th Regt. N.I.), the obverse attractively set with a small garnet, very fine

William Charles Clifton was born at Standish, near Wigan, on 22 August 1821, the son of Captain Edward Clifton, Coldstream Guards, a veteran of the Peninsular Wars. Educated at Durham, young Clifton passed as a Cadet into the East India Company Infantry upon the recommendation of his uncle, James Clifton. Sent out east, he landed at Calcutta in November 1839 and posted to the 67th Bengal Infantry at Benares. He missed the campaign at Pegu due to being on sick leave in Europe but was a Captain in the unit based at Agra by 1857. Under Brigadier Polwhele the unit saw off the rebel force at Sussia before being forced to retreat to the interior of Agra Fort. In the coming days they were attacked, with the Taj Mahal in sight across the Jumna River. Having served there, Clifton in fact signed the Medal roll for his unit, when they earned 19 Medals without clasp.

Having been granted furlough, he was never to return to India. Retired due to his poor health in October 1861, he then returned to his native Wigan. The family had Wrightington Hall and an Estate of over 5,000 acres, to which he succeeded to the Hall in 1881. Clifton, by now 59 did not yet have an heir and thus married Annie Bloxham, who was 24. It was not meant to be and he died without issue, having contracted a cold whilst out shooting in December 1889. The Estate was eventually sold to the County Council in 1928, when a hospital was established there; sold together with a good file of research which confirms the Medal was found inset with the garnet in 1997. Perhaps the stone was a relic from his time in India?

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£250

Starting price
£170