The Brett Collection of Medals to The Buffs

Punniar Star 1843 (Ensign R. W. Woods, H.M. 3rd Regt.) fitted with contemporary silver swivel-ring bar suspension and silver ribbon brooch, very fine £500-600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Brett Collection of Medals to The Buffs.

View
Collection

Richard William Woods was born on 20 March 1822, son of Lieutenant Richard Woods, late of the Buffs and 8th Royal Veteran Battalion (See lot 334). He was appointed Ensign in the Buffs on 27 August 1841 and served with the regiment at the battle of Punniar on 29 December 1843. He was Gazetted Lieutenant in the 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment, then serving in India, on the day following the battle of Punniar, and it is interesting to note that he was joined a month later by Ensign Souter, also of the Buffs, who was appointed Lieutenant in the 22nd on 28 January 1844. By 1847, both Woods and Souter had transferred to the 8th (The King’s) Regiment, in which regiment they were later joined by another of their brother Ensigns from Punniar, in the shape of Lieutenant McDermott. Woods was appointed Captain in the 80th Regiment on 12 April 1856, was placed on half pay of the 3rd Foot in December 1862, and appointed Staff Officer of Pensions. In that capacity he served successively at Stirling, at Birr in Ireland, and at Manchester. He became Major in July 1872, and Lieutenant-Colonel (Retired) in December 1878.