Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Sergeant James Godwin, 50th Foot, late 3rd Foot and later 53rd Foot

Punniar Star 1843 (Serjt. James Godwin, H.M. 50th Queen’s Own) fitted with contemporary replacement bar suspension; Sutlej 1845-46, for Moodkee 1845, 3 clasps, Ferozeshuhur, Aliwal, Sobraon (..rj. James Godwin 50th Regt.) considerable edge bruising and contact pitting, therefore fair to fine (2) £600-£800

James Godwin was born in 1815 in the Parish of Rudgely, Staffordshire, and attested for the 3rd Foot at Coventry on 6 December 1834, aged 19. He was promoted to Corporal on 1 January 1841, and to Sergeant on 12 May 1842. He transferred to the 50th Foot as a Sergeant on 1 May 1843, and fought with the regiment at the battle of Punniar on 29 December 1843 (Star). He fought throughout the Sutlej campaign of 1845-46 and was wounded at the battle of Ferozeshuhur on 21 December 1845 (Medal with 3 clasps). On 14 December 1846, he volunteered to the 53rd Foot and transferred to that regiment in the rank of Private the following day. He was promoted to his former rank of Sergeant on 29 December 1846 and served with the 53rd in the Punjab campaign of 1848-49 (Medal). Sergeant Godwin was discharged at Chatham on 15 December 1845, ‘for the purpose of serving on the Staff of the Royal Wiltshire Militia.’ He ‘is in possession of the Medal for Good Conduct, also three Medals for service in the field.’

Sergeant Godwin’s Punjab medal, named to his in the 53rd Foot, was sold in these rooms on 2 December 1992. Sold with copied discharge papers.