Orders, Decorations and Medals

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Capt. Wm. Du Vernet, 84th Regt.) claw refitted, minor edge nicks, good very fine £700-900

Ex Spink, 14 September 1989.

William Du Vernet was born in Colombo, Ceylon on 8 September 1825. Commissioned an Ensign without purchase in the 50th Regiment on 22 March 1844. Ensign Du Vernet was on the ill-fated ship Runnymeade, when she was caught in a hurricane and was wrecked on the Andaman Islands, in the Bay of Bengal, in November 1844, with detachments of the 10th and 50th Regiments on board. The survivors suffered 54 days of great hardship and privations, whilst surrounded by savage cannibals who inhabited the islands.

Surviving the ordeal, Du Veret then served with the 50th Regiment in the First Sikh War, seeing action at Buddiwal and Aliwal. In the latter battle he was severely wounded in the right knee by grapeshot and in the left foot by the bursting of a shell. The next day he was advanced to Lieutenant without purchase.

In December 1846 he exchanged to the 67th Regiment and gained the rank of Captain by purchase in April 1852. He exchanged to the 43rd Regiment in September 1853 and the 84th Regiment in December 1854. During the suppression of the Indian Mutiny he was present at the camp at Alumbagh and the siege and capture of Lucknow; and with the Azimghur Field Force in various minor actions and at the repulse of the rebels at Jugdespore. Captain Du Venet retired by sale of his commission on 23 July 1858.

With a quantity of copied research.