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Auction: 26003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 122

Pair: Corporal W. Britt, 1st Madras Fusiliers, a member of the First Relief Force who was wounded at Allahabad

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Pegu (2853 Pte. W. Britt 1/Madras Fus.), small correction to unit, later impressed naming; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 2 clasps, Defence of Lucknow, Lucknow (2853 Cpl. W. Britt. 1/Madras Fus.), later impressed naming, contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine (2)

W. Britt served with the famous, 'Neill's Bluecaps' during the Indian Mutiny, during the early stages of the British counter-attack towards Cawnpore and Lucknow Niell and a large portion of the Regiment arrived at Allahabad. The city was in a poor state with mutiny and rioting overwhelming everything outside the fort. The officers of the 6th Bengal Native Infantry were killed on the parade ground.

The fort however was still in British hands and when Neill arrived, they quickly took to the offensive, clearing the land around the fort on 11 June. Making the position his base in the region he quickly too to the streets, destroying suburbs and attacking centres of rebel power. It was on one such raid that Britt was wounded in the ankle on 15 June 1857.

General Havelock arrived on 30 June and just five days later received news of General Wheeler's encirclement at Cawnpore. He led his forces east with the Madras Fusiliers- apparently including Britt- amongst them.

They fought their way to Cawnpore, retaking it and finding the garrison dead. From there they advanced to the gates of Lucknow but were unable to reach the city, having received a report that Cawnpore was again threatened. A wing of the Madras Fusiliers earned the Defence of Lucknow clasp having fought close enough to the city to qualify for the clasp. They joined the Second relief and found themselves caught in the city with the defenders. Britt was one of those who saw the action from start to finish.

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Estimate
£400 to £600

Starting price
£380