Orders, Decorations and Medals

Pair: Major George Wedderburn, 7th Royal Fusiliers, late 24th Foot
Punjab 1848-49, 1 clasp, Goojerat (Ensign, 24th Foot); India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Umbeyla (Captn., H.Ms. 1st Bn. 7th Regt.) together with a contemporary copy letter written by him to the Army Purchase Commissioners in April 1875, and a copy group photograph, contact marks and polished, otherwise nearly very fine (2) £500-600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Choice Collection of Medals and other items to the 24th Foot (South Wales Borderers).

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George Gordon Gerald Trophine de Lally Tollendal Webster Webberburn was born in Paris on 12 December 1827, the third surviving son of Sir James and Lady Francis Caroline Webster-Wedderburn. Amongst his Godparents were the Duchess of Richmond and Madame de Lally Tollendal, from whom he took his second and fifth names. His mother is noted for having had an affair with Lord Byron, indeed her first son who died in his second year was named Charles Byron.

George Wedderburn purchased an Ensigncy in the 53rd Foot on 3 December 1847, and was removed as Ensign to the 24th Foot (vice Collis killed) on the day following the battle of Chilianwala. He took part in the action at Goojerat on 21 February 1849, under General Lord Gough, and was promoted Lieutenant by purchase on the 19th October following. He exchanged into the 76th Foot in October 1851, and became Captain in the 7th Royal Fusiliers in February 1858. He served in the 7th Fusiliersin the Indian north west frontier war of 1863 with the Eusafyze field force, was present at the defence of the Sungales at the Umbeyla Pass and at the attack on and storming of the Conical Hill and destruction of Lalloo on the 15th December; also in the action at Umbeyla and destruction of the village at the foot of the Bonair Pass on the 16th December which ended in the complete rout of the enemy and the submission of the Hill Tribes on the 17th December.

Wedderburn later became Instructor of Musketry, 6 Depot Battalion, at Dover, and was subsequently Staff Officer of Pensioners at Newcastle under Lyme, Chester and Manchester. He became Brevet Major in July 1872 and retired from the service by the sale of his commission. He died at Abington Abbey, Northamptonshire, on 20 August 1875.