Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Private William Burns, 31st Regiment

Cabul 1842 (No.1120 William Burns, Pt. H.Ms. 31st Regt.) engraved naming, original steel clip and replacement silver straight bar suspension; Sutlej 1845-46, for Moodkee 1845, 3 clasps, Ferozeshuhur, Aliwal, Sobraon (William Burns, 31st Regt.) good very fine (2)
£1000-1400

William Burns was born in the Parish of St. Brides, Dublin. A Labourer by occupation he attested for the 47th Regiment at Dublin on 27 September 1825, aged 18 years. Transferred to the 16th Regiment in December 1828 and to the 31st Regiment in January 1840. Attaining the rank of Serjeant in January 1833, he was reduced to Private in June 1834 - his papers recall that he was found guilty of being drunk in the barracks. With the 31st Regiment he served in Afghanistan, being present at Drazeena and Tazeen (?) for which he received the medal for ‘Cabul’. He later served in the First Sikh War, for which he was awarded the medal with three clasps. Having completed 20 years service in India and Afghanistan, Private Burns was discharged, in consequence of being ‘worn out’, on 17 July 1846. With copied service papers.