Ghuznee 1839, reverse impressed, ‘Richd. Wilding 17th Regt.’, original straight bar suspension, good very fine £600-700

Richard Wilding was born in the Parish of Preston, Lancashire. A Weaver by occupation, he attested for the 17th Regiment on 11 January 1826, aged 18 years. With them he served in New South Wales for 6 years, 4 months; in the East Indies for 3 years, 10 months, where he took part in the Afghanistan campaign, being present at the storm and capture of Ghuznee, 23 July 1839 and of Khelat, 13 November 1839. During the course of his military career, he deserted, 15 September-27 December 1829 and was imprisoned, 27 December 1829-26 March 1830; he received further periods of imprisonment during April-May 1833 and October 1835-February 1836. Suffering from chronic hepatatis, which was attributed to circumstances connected with being shipwrecked in March 1840, he was discharged at Chatham in August 1841, his character being described as ‘indifferent’. With copied discharge papers.