THE PUNJAB MEDAL 1848-49 AWARDED TO PRIVATE PATRICK DEE, 2ND BENGAL EUROPEAN REGIMENT (THE POST 1880 2ND BATTALION THE ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS), WHO SUBSEQUENTLY SAW SERVICE WITH THE 1ST COMPANY, 5TH BATTALION BENGAL ARTILLERY AND BENGAL INVALIDS.

THE PUNJAB MEDAL AWARDED TO PRIVATE PATRICK DEE, 2ND BENGAL EUROPEAN REGIMENT (THE POST 1880 2ND BATTALION THE ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS), WHO SUBSEQUENTLY SAW SERVICE WITH THE 1ST COMPANY, 5TH BATTALION BENGAL ARTILLERY AND BENGAL INVALIDS, AND AFTER SUFFERING SEVERE BURNS TO HIS BODY IN SEPTEMBER 1859, DIED AS A RESULT IN HOSPITAL IN INDIA IN APRIL 1860. Punjab Medal 1848-49, 2 clasps, Goojerat, Chilianwala (officially named, impressed in serifed capital letters: P. DEE, 2nd. EUR. REGt.).

Attractive old dark tone, Almost Extremely Fine.

NOTE: Clasps listed in order fitted, out of order, as a result of the lugs on the Chiliawala clasp having been removed after fitting and the Goojerat clasp therefore subsequently having to be fitted out of order, as often found on medals to men from this regiment.

Medal accompanied by biographical and service details from FIBIS, along with copied extracts Punjab casualty roll and original medal roll, both rolls confirming that Patrick Dee was “discharged by purchase” from the 2nd Bengal European Regiment.

Although the casualty roll records Dee being entitled to a no clasp medal, this is, in fact, incorrect, theoriginal medal roll confirming Dee’s entitlement to the Goojerat and Chilianwala clasps (Dee’s name is struck through on the medal roll, on account of his having been discharged, which probably confused the compiler of the casualty roll, but the relevant columns in the medal roll clearly confirm Dee’s entitlement to both the Chilianwala and Goojerat clasps).

Patrick Dee was born in Waterford city, county Waterford, Ireland. He enlisted into the 2nd Bengal European Regiment at London on 2/6/1840 for unlimited service and arrived in India aboard the Windsor in 1840. At the time of enlistment Dee gave his trade as Carpenter and Joiner. Dee was discharged by purchase from the 2nd Bengal European Regiment on 11/10/1850 but re-enlisted at Fort William, Bengal, on 18/2/1851 into the 1st Company, 5th Battalion, Bengal Artillery. On re-enlistment Dee confirmed his trade of carpenter. Dee was severely burnt on the body, 15/9/1857, subsequently transferred to the Bengal Invalids, 13/12/1859, and died in India on 20/4/1860, in hospital at Chunar.

Dee may also have been entitled to the Indian Mutiny Medal. Possibly worthy of further research in this regard.