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Auction: 25002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 74

The Indian Mutiny Medal awarded to Private J. Ashworth, 53rd Regiment of Foot, who was wounded by a musket shot in the right thigh at Khudjwah

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (John Ashworth, 53rd Regt), nearly extremely fine

Provenance:
Frank Marsh Medals, January 1992.

339 no-clasp medals awarded to the Regiment.

John Ashworth was born at Hyde, Stockport, Cheshire in 1830 and attested with the 22nd Regiment of Foot on 15 February 1851 before volunteering for the 53rd Foot on 1 November 1854. He served in the East Indies for six years and four months being present for the Indian Mutiny, his service papers tell the story of his injury stating:

'Private John Ashworth 53rd Regt. was wounded by a musket shot through the right thigh by which the bone was splintered and the leg is considerably shortened in consequences.

Date of wound November 1st [SIC] 1857'

The Soldier's of Shropshire Website offers further detail, stating:

'Khudjwah (2 November 1857)

The "Right Wing" detachment of the 53rd Foot was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Powell. It included about 530 officers and men. These included men drawn from the Naval Brigade, Royal Engineers, the 93rd Foot as well as 2 companies of the 53rd Foot (162 men) and 2 guns. Officers from the 53rd Foot included; Major Clarke; Captains Moubray, Gore and Hopkins; Lieutenants MacNeill, Corfield and Acton; Ensigns Truell and Prince and also Surgeon Grant.

On 2 November 1857 (Many records wrongly record the date as 1 November 1857) Lieutenant-Colonel Powell force [SIC] assaulted the insurgent forces that were defending the village of Khudjwah (Sometimes called Kajwa or Cugewa). The insurgent forces were the former garrison of Dinapore. Powells forces drove the insurgents from their positions killing or wounding at least 300. Lieutenant-Colonel Powell was killed by a bullet to the head and a further 95 of his force were killed or wounded. Significantly the "Right Wing" detachment had no cavalry, so there was no pursuit of the insurgents. 4 guns were captured.'

As a result of his injury Ashworth was discharged on 4 December 1860; sold together with copied service papers.

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Estimate
£120 to £160

Starting price
£100