Medals from the Collection of Peter Duckers

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 2 clasps, Delhi, Lucknow (Michl. Cohey. 1st. Eurn. Bengal Fusrs.) good very fine £360-£440

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Peter Duckers.

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Michael Cohey was born in County Kerry in 1832 and enlisted in the Bengal Infantry on 1 March 1852 at Tralee. He was posted to the 1st European Bengal Fusiliers on 31 January 1853 and served with them during the Indian Mutiny at the siege, assault and capture of Delhi and at the final capture of Lucknow. The 1st Bengal Fusiliers suffered 31 casualties at Badli-ki-Serai en route to Delhi Ridge and were constantly in action thereafter, suffering exceptionally high casualty rates at Delhi during the period May to September 1957. The regiment was approximately 427 strong on Delhi Ridge; throughout the siege and storming operations the regiment lost 3 officers and 95 men killed, 11 officers and 275 men wounded.

On 27 February 1858, now with a strength of 587 all ranks, they joined Outram’s Field Force, crossing Gumti to attack Lucknow on 6 March 1858. Participating in seven significant actions in the Lucknow operations, they lost 72 killed and wounded.

In June 1860 Cohey transferred to the Bengal Artillery. He was discharged in 1862, having completed 11 years 354 days with the colours, on account of ‘the surgeon having declined to grant him the necessary certificate of fitness for service.’

Sold with copied service papers and medal roll extracts.