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Auction: 21001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals (conducted behind closed doors)
Lot: 24

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Umbeyla (Surgn. W. G. W. Clemenger. 5th, Goorkha Regt.), good very fine

W. George Ward Clemenger was born in December 1827. Appointed an Assistant-Surgeon in the East India Company's Army in June 1846 and stationed at Meerut in April 1857 on the eve of the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny. He was advanced to Surgeon in September 1859 and served with the 5th Goorkha Regiment during the Umbeyla Expedition from October-December 1863. During the campaign he was most notably present at the retaking of the Crag Piquet on 20 November and the burning of the villages Talloo and Umbeyla on 15-16 December, which brought the campaign to a successful conclusion. His services in tending the wounded besides further bravery gained special mention in a letter from Major J. P. W. Campbell, C.O. of the 5th Goorkhas:

'...personally aided in rallying the men, Europeans and Natives, exposing himself in the bravest manner. In one of the retirements, with his own hands he packed the reserve ammunition of the Detachment in dandies and thus saved it from falling into the hands of the enemy.'

Promoted Surgeon-Major in 1866 and retired in 1867, he died at Carnarvon in July 1891; sold together with and old copy of the letter from Campbell and other copied research.

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Sold for
£480

Starting price
£240