Five: Sergeant-Major William Hyde, 82nd Regiment

Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Clr.-Serjt. W. Hyde. 82nd Regt.) officially impressed naming; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Qr. Mr. Sergt. Wm. Hyde, 82nd Regt.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, V.R. (Serjt. Major Willm. Hyde 82nd Regt.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (2233 Sergt. Mjr. Wm. Hyde. 82nd Foot.); Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, unnamed, the campaign medals with light edge bruising and contact marks, very fine, the remainder nearly extremely fine and a scarce group (5) £800-£1,000

Provenance: H. Y. Usher Collection.

William Hyde was born in Sheffield and attested there for the 82nd Regiment on 19 February 1846, aged 17 years 10 months, a book keeper by trade. He was promoted to Corporal on 6 December 1848; Sergeant, 1 January 1851; Colour-Sergeant, 25 November 1853. in this rank he was present at the siege and capture of Sebastopol on 8 September 1855. He was promoted to Quarter Master Sergeant on 1 July 1856, and served in this rank during the Indian Mutiny, being ‘present at the actions before Cawnpore between 26 Novr. and 16 December 1857, and in the Indian Mutiny in 1857 & 1858 & 1859.’

Hyde was promoted to Sergeant-Major in the 82nd Regiment on 1 December 1859, while the regiment was still in India. He was ‘granted a Silver Medal with a Gratuity of 15 pounds for Long Service and Good Conduct per authority dated War Office 10th June 1866.’ Hyde was discharged at Netley on 1 November 1866, having been found unfit for further service due to chronic rheumatism and general debility. In 1867 he was recommended for the Meritorious Service Medal with Annuity of 20 pounds per annum from the Regimental allowance, vice Sergeant-Major John Bell, deceased. Sergeant-Major William Hyde, who was living as a Chelsea out-pensioner in the London Borough of Lambeth, died on 10 August 1895, aged sixty-seven.

Sold with copied discharge papers and a photograph of Hyde in old age.