The Sutlej medal awarded to Lieutenant William Fisher, Governor-General’s Body-Guard, who was killed in the famous cavalry charge at the battle of Moodkee in December 1845

Sutlej 1845-46, for Moodkee 1845 (Lieut. W: Fisher 10th L:C G:G:B:G:) edge bruising, otherwise very fine £2500-3000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals formed by the late Arnold Jackson.

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Lieutenant William Fisher, 10th Light Cavalry, Adjutant of the Governor-General’s Body-Guard, was killed in action in the cavalry charge at the battle of Moodkee on 18 December 1846.

William Fisher was born at Osmington, Dorset, on 22 October 1820, the son of the Venerable John Fisher, Archdeacon of Berkshire. He was educated at Charterhouse and, after passing the selection committee of the H.E.I.C., was commissioned as Cornet in the Bengal Army on 8 October 1837. He arrived in India in February 1838, and in the following month was ordered up to Sultanpur, Benares, to do duty with the 8th Light Cavalry. In February 1838 he was posted to the 10th Light Cavalry, which he joined at Muttra, and with that corps he served in the campaign of 1842 in Afghanistan under Major-General Pollock (Medal). In December 1843 he was appointed to do duty with the Governor-General’s Body-Guard, and he served with that corps in the Gwalior Campaign, including the battle of Maharajpoor (Bronze Star).

In January 1844 Fisher was permanently attached to the Governor-General’s Body-Guard as an additional subaltern officer, and in March 1845, having already officiated in the post for two months, he was appointed Adjutant of the corps. He accompanied the Body-Guard into the field with the Army of the Sutlej in December 1845, and on the 18th of that month he was killed in action at the battle of Moodkee, whilst gallantly charging the Sikh cavalry.

Lieutenant Fisher was buried at Moodkee and his name is commemorated on the memorial tablet in St Andrew’s Church, Ferozepore. He was the only officer of the Body-Guard to be killed at Moodkee.