Auction Catalogue

23 September 2005

Starting at 11:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part III)

Grand Connaught Rooms  61 - 65 Great Queen St  London  WC2B 5DA

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Lot

№ 54

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23 September 2005

Hammer Price:
£600

The Punjab campaign medal to Private William Fenner, 61st Foot, wounded at Chilianwala

Punjab 1848-49, 2 clasps, Chilianwala, Goojerat (Wm. Fenner, 61st Foot) nearly very fine £350-400

William Fenner was born in tCavan, county Cavan, and attested for the 81st Regiment at Cavan on 25 November 1842, aged 18 years. He transferred to the 61st Footon 1 July 1844. He ‘served with the Army of the Punjab in the campaign of 1848-49, and was present at the passage of the Chenab, and in the battles of Chilianwala (wounded) and Goojerat; served with Major General Sir W. R. Gilbert’s Field Force in pursuit of the Enemy to the Khyber Pass in March 1849.’ According to hos discharge papers he was ‘wounded at the battle of Chilianwallah in the left thigh by a matchlock ball.’ William Fenner was recommended for discharge at Wazeerabad on 17 October 1856, his conduct being noted as ‘very good and he is in possession of two distinguishing Badges with pay for Good Conduct although he was convicted by a District Court Martial, 5 August 1848, for desertion and losing his bayonet by neglect.’ He was finally discharged at Chatham, Kent, on 7 July 1857, giving his intended place of residence as America.

Ref: WO 97/1576.