A scarce Defence of Lucknow group of four to Color-Sergeant Charles Wigmore, 32nd Light Infantry

Punjab 1848-49, 2 clasps, Mooltan, Goojerat (Chas. Wigmore, 32nd Foot); India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, North West Frontier (2632 Pte. C. Wigmore, 32nd Regt.); Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Defence of Lucknow (Color Serjt. C. Wigmore, 32nd L.I.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., small letter reverse (2632 Sergt. Chas. Wigmore, 32nd Foot) edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise good fine and better (4) £1400-1600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Gordon Everson.

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Charles Wigmore was born in the Parish of Frompton Cottrell, near Bristol, and attested for the 44th Regiment at Dublin on 3 September 1844, aged 20. He transferred to the 32nd Regiment on 1 June 1845, and served with the regiment in India throughout the second Sikh War, being present at the siege of Mooltan and the battle of Goojerat. He then saw service in Peshawar on the North West Frontier in 1852, where the 32nd were part of Sir Colin Campbell’s force employed in punitive measures against the Ranizais, including the affair at Skakot and the destruction of the villages in the Rannazge valley. Whilst in Peshawar, the regiment received their Punjab campaign medals in a parade on 9 November 1852, but they had to wait until June 1872 before they got their medals for the North West Frontier.

Wigmore was promoted to Corporal in May 1855, and to Sergeant in January 1857, when the regiment was stationed at Lucknow. On 30 June 1857, after a disastrous engagement against overwhelming numbers of mutineers at Chinhut, five miles north-east of the city, the 32nd and the rest of the population of Lucknow became besieged in the Residency. For 87 days they managed to hold the one and a half mile perimeter, repelling determined attacks on the 20th July and 10th August. On the 25th September, General Havelock’s relief force fought its way into the city after severe fighting, but they too become besieged. It was not until 22nd October that the garrison was relieved by the arrival of Sir Colin Campbell’s force, by which time the 32nd could only muster 250 men fit for duty out of the 950 that had marched into Lucknow in December 1856. For their distinguished role in the Defence of Lucknow, the 32nd were designated “Light Infantry”, and every man was allowed to count one years’ additional service.

Wigmore was promoted to Color-Sergeant in March 1858, and subsequently took part with the regiment in the battle of Cawnpore on 6th December, the capture of Fort Thyrrool in July 1858, the battle of Doudpore on 20th October, and the battle of Gogra River, when several thousand prisoners were taken. The regiment was then engaged in collecting arms from villages until March 1859, when they embarked for England, arriving to a heroes’ welcome on 11 October 1859. He reverted to the rank of Sergeant in February 1861, and was transferred, on loan, to the Hereford Militia in March 1863. He was finally discharged at Bullevant on 26 December 1865.