The Indian Mutiny medal to Private Charles O’Keefe, 32nd Light Infantry, killed in action at Chinhut

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Defence of Lucknow (C. O’Keefe, 32nd L.I.) toned, extremely fine
£1000-1200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Brian Ritchie Collection of H.E.I.C. and British India Medals.

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Charles O’Keefe enlisted at Fermoy Head Quarters as a Private with the 32nd Foot on 13 April 1846, aged 18 years. He embarked for India in the British Sovereign on 9 May 1846, and fought in the Punjab campaign of 1848-49, including the siege of Mooltan and battle of Goojerat. Private Charles O’Keefe was killed in action at at Chinhut on 30 June 1857.

Situated on the road to Faizabad, about six miles from Lucknow, the small village of Chinhut was the scene of a decisive battle betweeen the British, led in person by Sir Henry Lawrence, and the mutineers. Lawrence’s column, 600-strong at the beginning of the day, suffered 398 killed or missing and 78 wounded in this affair, which signalled the beginning of the siege of the Residency at Lucknow. The 32nd were particularly badly savaged, with Major Case, one Captain, two Lieutenants, and 122 other ranks killed or mortally wounded. The very low numbers of wounded, just one officer and 24 other ranks in the 32nd, testify to the disastrous severity of this reverse.

At the end of the day, Lawrence sent a message to Colonel Neill at Allahabad, for onward transmission to the Governor-General: ‘Lucknow 30th June. Went out this morning eight miles to meet the enemy, and were defeated through misconduct, chiefly of artillery and cavalry, many of whom deserted. Enemy followed us up, and we have been beseiged for four hours. Shall likely be surrounded tonight. Enemy very bold and our Europeans very low... unless we are relieved in fifteen or twenty days, we shall hardly be able to maintain our ground.’

Refs: WO 12/4763-4773.