J. SHELDON, 24TH (2ND WARWICKSHIRE) FOOT (THE POST 1880 SOUTH WALES BORDERERS). Punjab Campaign Medal, 2 clasps, Goojerat, Chilianwala (officially impressed: J. SHELDON, 24TH FOOT.). Almost Extremely Fine.

J. SHELDON, 24TH (2ND WARWICKSHIRE) FOOT (THE POST 1880 SOUTH WALES BORDERERS). Punjab Campaign Medal, 2 clasps, Goojerat, Chilianwala (officially impressed: J. SHELDON, 24TH FOOT.). Almost Extremely Fine.

Medal accompanied by copied medal rolls (2, original and the regimentally published “”24th Regiment Medal Roll 1793-1889”) and entry for Sheldon in 1851 British Army World Wide Index. Medal rolls give Sheldon’s regimental number as 2172 and first name as John, and confirm medal and clasps, the original medal roll additionally confirming that Sheldon was “employed during the campaign in the Punjab to the date of the occupation of Peshawar”. 1851 World Wide Index records Sheldon as 2173 Private serving with the 24th Foot at Wazirabad in the Punjab (modern day Pakistan).

The 24th Foot suffered enormous casualties at the battle of Chilianwala. It went into action with a strength of 31 officers and 1,065 other ranks, but had 13 officers and 225 men killed and 9 officers and 278 men wounded, in all nearly half the regiment’s strength. In addition, the Queen’s Colour was lost. The regimental history gives two possibilities as to its fate, either it fell into a pool, where the officer who was carrying it was hit, or its staff was broken and a Private Connolly wrapped the Colour around his body underneath his uniform in order to prevent its falling into the hands of the Sikhs. Private Connolly was subsequently killed and it is presumed that the Colour was buried with him. The Regimental Colour was rescued by a Private Perry when the officer who was carrying it, Ensign Collis, fell.