Three: Private William Waghorn, 16th Lancers, who had his right arm amputated from a severe sabre wound received at Aliwal, where ‘he also received a deep sabre cut on his right shoulder and other parts of his body, in all nine’; he was subsequently one of the first members of the Corps of Commissionaires

Ghuznee 1839 (Wm. Waghorn 16th Lancers) naming engraved on edge, fitted with replacement silver bar suspension; Maharajpoor Star 1843 (Private William Waghorn H.M. 16th Lancers) fitted with adapted silver bar suspension; Sutlej 1845-46, for Aliwal 1846 (Wm Waghorn 16th Lancers) edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine (3) £2000-2500

William Waghorn was born in the Parish of Goudhurst, near Cranbrook, Kent, and enlisted into the 11th Light Dragoons on 29 April 1832, a Musician by trade, aged 16, from the West Kent Militia, in which he had served as a Drummer for 5 years 8 months. During his service with the 11th Light Dragoons, he was three times tried and sentenced to imprisonment by Detachment Court Martial, being released from the last of these periods of imprisonment on 4 June 1834. He volunteered to the 16th Lancers on 1 January 1838, and served with the regiment in the ‘campaign in Afghanistan in 1838 & 9, and at the assault and capture of Ghuznee, also in the action at Maharajpoor in December 1843, and at Aliwal in Jany. 1846.’ Private William Waghorn was discharged on 22 June 1847, in consequence, as stated in his Medical Report, of ‘Amputation of right arm a few inches above the wrist from sabre wound, he also received a deep sabre cut on right shoulder and other parts of the body, in all nine.’

Attached to Waghorn’s record of service is a letter of recommendation to the Board at Chelsea from Major D. H. Mackinon, dated Woolwich, 21 June 1864, which states: ‘The bearer hereof served many years in the 16th Lancers with me and lost his arm in action. He has been unfortunate in joining the Corps of Commissionaires & getting no employment his resources are exhausted & he is anxious to get into Chelsea Hospital at once. I can answer for his identity & respectability & his wife will be able to maintain herself. The form can be completed any day if necessary.’

The Corps of Commissionaires was formed in February 1859 by Captain Edward Walter, a retired officer of the 8th Hussars, as a way to provide gainful employment for ex-servicemen. The first eight recruits were veterans of Queen Victoria’s armed forces, one sailor and 7 soldiers, all of whom had lost a limb in her service. Although we do not know the names of these original eight men, it is clear that William Waghorn must have been one of the earliest recruits although, in his case, to no apparent avail.