Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Private G. A. Illingworth, 40th Regiment of Foot, late 20th Regiment of Foot, who served overseas in the Crimea, North America, India and during the New Zealand Wars, but whose chequered military service was terminated upon the infection of his right leg and its subsequent amputation

Crimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Geor-- Ainsley Illingworth) contemporarily engraved naming, clasp carriage showing signs of restoration, with horizontal buckle claw affixed to top lugs of Sebastopol clasp; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (G. Illingworth, 1st. Bn. 20th. Regt.); New Zealand 1845-66, reverse dated 1863 (661 G Illingworth, 40th. Regt.) with contemporary silver riband buckle; Turkish Crimea 1855, British issue, unnamed as issued, pierced with adapted small loop suspension affixed to buckle, this lacking reverse pin, heavy contact marks and wear to first, this fair to fine, the rest nearly very fine and better (4) £800-£1,000

George A. Illingworth was born in Halifax, Yorkshire, in 1830 and attested for the 20th Regiment of Foot in 1851. A tailor by trade, he served with the Regiment during the Crimean Campaign and subsequently in India during the Great Sepoy Mutiny, taking part in the final operations leading to the surrender of Lucknow and the clearing of the surrounding areas from November 1857 to March 1858; as part of General Frank’s Division, the 20th Foot successfully attacked and captured the Kaisar Bagh before advancing towards a large, square, loopholed building called the ‘engine house’. Surrounded by the two leading companies of the 20th Foot, some 300 rebels were killed in hand-to-hand fighting.

Returned home to Yorkshire, Illingworth married Miss Harriet Pitts at Calverley on 4 September 1859. On 6 October 1860 he transferred as Private to the 40th Regiment of Foot, serving for five years and one month in New Zealand during the Waikato Wars; the Regiment fought at Rangiriri, Paterangi and Orakau during this period, suffering substantial losses against Maori forces. After reinforcing the 18th Regiment and Forest Rangers, the 40th Regiment remained in Waikato as a garrison before departing New Zealand for Portsmouth in the summer of 1866.

Posted to County Meath, Ireland, Illingworth’s military career came to a premature end in March 1871 when he suffered the amputation of his right thigh in consequence of an accident which had occurred the previous summer: ‘Says he fell amongst some stones in the Barrack Square at Navan when crossing to his room from roll-call. A sharp stone penetrated the joint, which caused so much disorganisation that the limb had to be removed... The thigh was removed in the middle third. He will be able to contribute very little towards earning a livelihood. It has not been caused or aggravated by the use of intoxicating liquor or indulgence in other habits or vices.’

Discharged at Curragh Camp on 10 June 1871, Illingworth’s Army Service Record notes that he was entered 26 times in the Regimental Defaulter Book and twice tried by Court Martial; just over a year later his pension was suspended for one month when imprisoned for exposing his person whilst back home in Halifax.

Sold with copied service record and research.