Military Awards from the Collection of John Tamplin

The Sutlej medal awarded to Lieutenant-General W. G. Gold, 53rd (Shropshire) Regiment, who commanded throughout the Sutlej campaign and was wounded at the battle of Sobraon, later becoming Colonel of the Regiment

Sutlej 1845-46, for Aliwal 1846, 1 clasp, Sobraon (Lieut. Col., 53rd Regt.) fitted with silver ribbon buckle and slide, a few minor nicks, otherwise nearly extremely fine £1000-1200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Military Awards from the Collection of John Tamplin.

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William George Gold was born in 1800, son of Colonel Charles Gold, C.B., Royal Artillery (See previous Lot). He was granted a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Staff Corps on 7 April 1825, and promoted to First Lieutenant in the same Corps on 26 June 1828. On 5 February 1829, Gold transferred to the Infantry as a Lieutenant in the 53rd Regiment of Foot. He was promoted Captain, by purchase, on 29 June 1832, and Major, by purchase, on 10 February 1843.

Gold was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel in the 53rd Foot on 26 July 1844, and commanded the regiment in the Sutlej campaign of 1845-46. He was present at the affair of Buddiwal, the battle of Aliwal on 28 January 1846, and at the battle of Sobraon on 10 February 1846, where he was wounded, and remained in command of the regiment during the subsequent operations.

Returning home to England, Gold was transferred to the 48th Regiment of Foot, of which he became Lieutenant-Colonel on 8 December 1848. He held this appointment until 7 September 1852 when he retired on half-pay, Unattached. He was promoted Brevet Colonel in June 1854, and Brevet Major-General in October 1859. He was appointed Sheriff of Montgomeryshire for the year 1864, and was appointed Colonel of the 32nd Regiment of Foot in the following year. He held this latter appointment until 2 February 1867, when he was appointed Colonel of his old regiment, the 53rd Foot, remaining as Colonel until his death. Gold was lastly promoted Brevet Lieutenant-General on 29 March 1868, and died at Garthmyl Hall, Montgomeryshire, on 26 December 1868, aged 68.