Medals from the Collection of Brigadier Brian Parritt, C.B.E.

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Pegu (Lieutt. Jackson Muspratt Williams, 1st Madras Fusrs.) fine £350-400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Brigadier Brian Parritt, C.B.E..

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Jackson Muspratt Williams was born in 1831. Appointed a Lieutenant in the 1st Madras Fusiliers in 1851, he saw service in the Burma war of 1852-53. The regiment was in the 2nd Brigade commanded by Brigadier M. McNeill, part of the Madras Division. The troops landed just below Pegu and in spite of the thick mist moved forward to the main pagoda. Formed up, the Madras and the Bengal Fusiliers were in the front line. After an hours rest General Godwin appeared and shouted to each regiment, ‘You are Bengalis. You are Madrassies. Let me see who are the best men!’ Thus motivated the regiments charged forward with the bayonet and by noon Pegu and the Pagoda had been captured. Lieutenant Williams took part in the charge and in the subsequent battle at Pegu when Major W. Hill, Madras Fusiliers, and two companies of the regiment were fiercely attacked and had to send for a further 250 Madras Fusiliers as reinforcements. Another attack was launched and after a period of hard fighting, the pagoda was finally retaken. A very relieved General Godwin met Major Hill on the upper terrace and said, ‘I had given you up ten minutes ago!’ For their gallantry the Regiment was granted the priviledge of placing ‘Pegu’ on their colours.

During the Indian Mutiny, Williams took part as a Volunteer in action during 1856 against Chief Meng Loung in the Martepan District and was present at several engagements in Shoab Gleen in 1857. By the end of 1857 he was on the Staff of the Department of Public Works. Thereafter he served in India as an engineer, being promoted Captain in February 1861 and attaining the rank of Colonel in September 1878. At a later date he retired as a Major-General and died in 1901. Sold with some copied research.