PRIVATE WILLIAM THOMAS, 2ND BENGAL EUROPEAN FUSILIERS (THE POST 1880 2ND BATTALION ROYAL M

PRIVATE WILLIAM THOMAS, 2ND BENGAL EUROPEAN FUSILIERS (THE POST 1880 2ND BATTALION ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS). Indian Mutiny Medal, 1 clasp, Delhi (officially impressed: WM. THOMAS. 2nd. EURn. BENGAL FUSrs). Numerous light scratches to obverse, cleaned abrasively at some stage in past, but now attractively toned over and otherwise Very Fine.

Medal accompanied by copied extracts from original medal roll, which records three soldiers by the name of William Thomas serving with the 2nd Bengal European Fusiliers during the Indian Mutiny, a Private William Thomas (who survived the Mutiny), a Corporal William Thomas (who was killed in action on 23/6/1857) and a Colour Sergeant William Thomas (who was killed in action on 14/9/1857). Since there is no rank impressed on the edge of this medal, it can safely be assumed that it is the medal awarded to the Private William Thomas who survived the mutiny.

The 2nd Bengal European Fusiliers were stationed at Dagshai when the Indian Mutiny broke out. Ordered to march on Delhi on 13th May 1857, the regiment, 800 strong, began its march at 4pm that afternoon. The 2nd Bengal Europeans suffered an enormous number of casualties during the march to and final assault on Delhi of 30th May – 14th September 1857, and during the mopping up operations in Delhi, 15th – 20th September 1857, the regimental history recording that, during the period 14th May – 20th September 1857 the regiment suffered a total of 316 casualties, including 106 officers and men killed and 220 officers and men wounded, the regiment’s casualties during the final assault on Delhi, 14th September, alone amounting to 129 officers and men – 43 officers and men killed, 1 officer died of wounds, and 85 officers and men wounded.

That final assault of 14th September was a double VC action for the regiment. During the fighting at the Kabul gate two men from the regiment, Sergeant J. McGuire and Drummer M. Ryan, both won Victoria Crosses for conspicuous gallantry in throwing burning boxes of ammunition over the parapet at great risk to themselves, saving many lives in the process.