Three: Sergeant William Wilkinson, 2nd (Tombs) Troop, 1st Brigade, Bengal Horse Artillery

Sutlej 1845-46, for Moodkee 1845, 2 clasps, Ferozeshuhur, Sobraon (Gunner W: Wilkinson 1st Brigade H:A:); Punjab 1848-49, no clasp (Corpl. W. Wilkinson, 2nd Tp. 1st Bde. H. Arty.) suspension re-affixed; India General Service 1854-94, 1 clasp, North West Frontier (Sergt. W Wilkinson 2nd Tp. 1st Bde. Bengal, H.A.) the second with edge bruising, otherwise good very fine (3) £1,200-£1,600

This troop of the Bengal Horse Artillery is remembered in the Army today as 143 Battery (Tombs Troop) R.A., after Henry Tombs, one of the great outstanding officers of the Bengal Horse Artillery, whose Victoria Cross group of medals was sold in these rooms in December 2017.

William Wilkinson was a labourer from Skipton, Yorkshire, who attested at Manchester on 20 March 1843, and sailed for India that year in the British Sovereign. He served in 2nd Troop, 1st Brigade, Bengal Horse Artillery throughout the Sutlej campaign of 1845-46, including the battles of Moodkee, Ferozeshuhur and Sobraon, in the Punjab campaign of 1848-49, and on the North West Frontier in actions against the Mohmands and other Hill tribes in 1851-52. On leaving the service he took up a post as a Conductor in the Public Works Department, Punjab, and his name appears in the Indian Army and Civil List from 1863 to July 1870.

Sold with research including copied letter from Wilkinson in July 1870 to his old general requesting written confirmation that he (Wilkinson) had served on the North West Frontier, and copy of the subsequent roll stating medal ‘Sent to him 18/4/71’.