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Auction: 26002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 39

(x) The Indian Mutiny Medal awarded to Private C. Steggles, 75th Regiment of Foot, who was killed in action before Delhi at Badli-Ke-Serai

Indian Mutiny 1857-58, 1 clasp, Dehli (Chas. Steggles, 75th Regt.), good very fine

Charles Steggles was born at Thurston, Suffolk and enlisted at London on 7 December 1850 with the 75th (Stirlingshir) Regiment of Foot with the Regimental Number 3002. Embarking on 28 June 1851 for India he arrived on 4 October and reached the Regiment at Umballa on 1 January 1852. On the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny he was stationed at Kussowli and joined his Regiment in marching on Dehli.

British forces concentrated before the city in June 1857 and advanced towards Badli-Ke-Serai north of the city where the mutinous sepoy contingents had dug in to repel them. They were well entrenched and supported with artillery and likely irregular formations from Delhi itself. It was decided to storm the rebel positions on 8 June.

Hope Grant led the British cavalry through a gap in the enemy flank while the British infantry attacked the village pinning on their right. This was the rebel strongpoint where the bulk of their artillery was placed and the attack ran into heavy resistance, the men of the 75th forced their way in at bayonet point. It was only the threat of the cavalry on their flank that saw the mutineers withdraw.

Steggles was killed in action during the fighting and therefore did not live to see the British dig in on Delhi Ridge and the eventual capture of the city; sold together with copied research.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£400 to £600

Starting price
£320