Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Sutlej campaign and Indian Mutiny medal pair to Sergeant William Brett, late Bengal Artillery, Magazine Sergeant at Lucknow throughout the siege

Sutlej 1845-46, for Sobraon 1846, no clasp (Gunner William Brett, 3d Co. 3d Bn. Bengal Arty.) naming officially engraved in running script; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 2 clasps, Defence of Lucknow, Lucknow (Magazine Serjt. W. Brett) light contact marks overall, therefore very fine (2) £3,000-£4,000

Provenance: Brian Ritchie Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, September 2005.

William Brett was born in Tottenham, Middlesex, and enlisted for a period of unlimited service at Soho Square on 3 September 1842. He arrived in India on 20 December 1843, in the Alexander, and fought at the battle of Sobraon in 1846, as a Gunner in the 3rd Company, 3rd Battalion, Bengal Artillery. He served as Magazine Sergeant throughout the defence of the Lucknow Residency and subsequent capture of Lucknow. His wife was also present at Lucknow but sadly their child died during the siege.

Brett was transferred to the Unattached List of Non-Commissioned Officers, Bengal Presidency, on 10 April 1858. He was then 5’ 11”, and possessed a ‘fresh complexion’, ‘grey eyes’ and ‘grey hair’. Prior to enlistment he was employed as a Gardener.