The Brian Ritchie Collection of H.E.I.C. and British India Medals

The Sutlej campaign and Indian Mutiny medal pair to Sergeant William Brett, late Bengal Artillery, Magazine Sergeant at Lucknow throughout the siege

(a) Sutlej 1845-46, for Sobraon 1846 (Gunner William Brett, 3d Co. 3d Bn. Bengal Arty.) naming officially engraved in running script

(b) Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 2 clasps, Defence of Lucknow, Lucknow (Magazine Serjt. W. Brett) contact marks, otherwise very fine £1500-2000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Brian Ritchie Collection of H.E.I.C. and British India Medals.

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William Brett was born in Tottenham, Middlesex, and enlisted for a period of unlimited service at Soho Square on 3 September 1842. He arrived in India on 20 December 1843, in the Alexander, and fought at the battle of Sobraon in 1846, as a Gunner in the 3rd Company, 3rd Battalion, Bengal Artillery. He served as Magazine Sergeant throughout the defence of the Lucknow Residency and subsequent capture of Lucknow. His wife was also present at Lucknow but sadly their child died during the siege. Brett was transferred to the Unattached List of Non-Commissioned Officers, Bengal Presidency, on 10 April 1858. He was then 5’ 11”, and possessed a ‘fresh complexion’, ‘grey eyes’ and ‘grey hair’. Prior to enlistment he was employed as a Gardener.

Ref: Roll of Non Commissioned Officers and Men on the Unattached List Bengal Presidency, 1860 & 1861.