Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Lieutenant-Colonel William Innes, Bengal Army

China 1842 (W. Innes, Captain, 2nd Reg. Bengal Vol.); Punjab 1848-49, 2 clasps, Chilianwala, Goojerat (Major W. Innes, 15th Bengal N.I.) edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise toned, nearly very fine (2) £1,200-£1,500

William Innes was born in the Parish of Saint Andrew’s, Edinburgh, the son of Major John Innes, 94th Foot (Scotch Brigade). Two of his cousins served in the Peninsula with the 94th (Scotch Brigade), Lieutenant William Innes, who was killed at Badajoz, and Lieutenant Gordon Clunes Innes, who was killed at Salamanca. William Innes received a classical and subsequently a military education at Edinburgh High School and Edinburgh College. He was nominated as a Cadet for the East India Company’s Bengal Infantry, season 1823-24, by E.I.C. Director Sweny Toone, at the recommendation of John Innes. He passed the Military Committee at East India House, London, on 5 May 1824.

Appointed Ensign in the 8th Bengal N.I. on 20 May 1824, he arrived at Calcutta on 6 October 1824, and was posted to the 15th Bengal N.I. He served with the 15th N.I. at the siege and capture of Bhurtpore and, whilst he did receive an Ensign’s share of the prize, his name does not appear on Gould’s published roll of the Army of India medal, although credited with a medal in Hodson’s Officers of the Bengal Army. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 13 May 1825, and to Captain on 1 April 1838.

Attached from 1 February 1842, to the 2nd Bengal Volunteer Battalion, formed for service in the First China war, he was present at the action of Chin-kiang-Foo (Medal). The Volunteer Battalion was broken up in March 1843, after which Innes was on leave or sick certificate and attending to private affairs until late in 1848. He was promoted to Major on 15 September 1848, and served with the 15th N.I. in the Second Sikh war, being present at the battles of Chilianwala and Goojerat (Medal with 2 clasps). He was permitted to retire from 20 September 1849, on the pay of a Captain, and was promoted to Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel on the Retired List on 28 November 1854. Lieutenant-Colonel Innes died at Brighton on 26 August 1872. Sold with copied Cadet papers and other research.