PRIVATE THOMAS WATTS, 8TH (THE KING’S) REGIMENT (THE POST 1880 1ST AND 2ND THE KING’S LIVERPOOL REGIMENT). Indian Mutiny Medal 1857-58, 2 clasps, Relief of Lucknow, Delhi

PRIVATE THOMAS WATTS, 8TH (THE KING’S) REGIMENT (THE POST 1880 1ST AND 2ND THE KING’S LIVERPOOL REGIMENT). Indian Mutiny Medal 1857-58, 2 clasps, Relief of Lucknow, Delhi (officially impressed: THOS. WATTS, 1st. Bn. 8th. REGt.). Shows signs of having been in a fire at some stage, with heavy polishing marks in obverse and reverse fields, otherwise Very Fine and an inexpensive medal to a man present at both of the major reliefs of the Indian Mutiny, Lucknow and Delhi.

Only one Thomas Watts on the Indian Mutiny Medal roll for the 8th Foot.

Medal accompanied by biographical details, extracts from 1841, 1851, 1861 and 1891 census returns, copied medal rolls (2, original and published), confirming medal and clasps, and extract 1861 British Army World Wide Index.

Thomas Watts (1837-1904) was born in the parish of Morthoe, Braunton, Devon, in July 1837 and is recorded in the 1841 census as a 5 year old boy living with his father, William Watts in Barnstaple. He was still living in Barnstaple in 1851, but in the 1861 census he is recorded as being resident in Gosport Barracks (the 1861 British Army World Wide Index also confirms Thomas Watts as then serving with the 1st Battalion 8th Foot and resident in Gosport). In the 1891 census Watts is recorded as being a 53 year old dock berthing master, living in Newport, Monmouthshire. He died in Newport, Monmouthshire, on 8/8/1904.