Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Maharajpoor Star awarded to Lieutenant William Fisher, Governor General’s Body Guard, who was killed in action at the battle of Moodkee whilst gallantly charging the Sikh cavalry

Maharajpoor Star 1843 (Lieutenant W. Fisher, Governor General’s Body Guard) with original hook suspension, extremely fine £1,500-£2,000

William Fisher was the second son of the Rev. John Fisher, Archdeacon of Berkshire, and a Canon of Salisbury. He was nominated to a Cadetship at the recommendation of H.R.H. the Duchess of Kent and entered the Bengal Army in 1837, arriving in India in February 1838. In February 1839, 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 Body Guard as an additional Subaltern Officer, and at the same time it was ordered that ‘Until further orders no Officer or Trooper will be admitted to the Body Guard who has not become entitled to a medal or to the Bronze Star for service upon the enemy.’ 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.