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Auction: 25002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 75

'About 10 a.m., the remainder of my regiment, with a 4lb. gun, came across and began playing upon the village; at the same time the enemy brought up a heavy gun, which caused a few casualties in the regiment, amongst them, I regret to say, was my soldier servant, a most gallant fellow and great favourite in the regiment: he had both legs shot off, and died that evening.'

Major, later General, William Payne laments the death of Private Blaizer at Kallee Nuddee.

The Indian Mutiny Medal awarded to Private W. Blaizer, 53rd Regiment of Foot, who served as the Batman to Major Payne and tragically died after the loss of both legs to a cannonball, his caused such anger amongst the Regiment that they advanced upon the enemy without orders

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Relief of Lucknow (Wm Blaizer, 53rd Regt.), suspension somewhat slack, slight edge knock, light contact wear overall, very fine

Provenance:
Glendining's, September 1993.

W. Blaizer was serving with the 53rd Regiment as batman to Major Payne of the same Regiment. He was present at the Action at Kallee Nuddee on 2 January 1858, when a cannonball took off both of his legs. Commemorated upon the Indian Mutiny Memorial at St. Clare's Church, Shrewsbury, his surname there is spelled Blazier.

The article in the K.S.L.I. Journal of June 1932 entitled General Sir William Payn's [SIC] Indian Mutiny Letters, details the action following Blaizer's death stating:

'This made our men very savage, and about 2 o'clock, after having been under fire for upwards of 5 hours, word was sent to us that the 93rd Highlanders were coming down to relieve us. But our men had sworn to avenge poor Blazer's [SIC] (my servant) death, and take the gun that had been bullying us for so long. I was returning from visiting my left skirmishers, when I was astonished to hear a cheer, and on riding to the front, saw all the men on the right dashing into the village. Of course, I was soon amongst them, never dreaming that they had advanced without orders. The gun was taken at once, and the men rushed forward to the far side of the village, and there was the enemy drawn up with cavalry and infantry on the road about 40 yards in advance. It was a nervous moment, I was the senior officer with about 300 men, and then knew that the men had advanced without orders. But there was no holding them; the sight of the enemy had made them furious.'

The action ended with the rebels put to flight by the 53rd Foot with a rather nervous Major Payne attempting to halt them at every opportunity under the imprecations of a succession of gallopers sent by Sir Colin Campbell himself. Even Campbell, not known for his tolerance of discipline could say little at the capture of five guns, a standard and 300 rebel dead. That said the wing in question was giving a dressing down upon his arrival:

'… and I though, notwithstanding that his words were angry, that he could not but admire the few gallant fellows who had beaten back some 2,000 of the enemy. I suspect we shall catch it in the despatch, which I shall be most anxious to see.'

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Sold for
£650

Starting price
£210