PRIVATE RICHARD AVNELL, 1ST MADRAS `(EUROPEAN) FUSILIERS (THE POST 1860 102ND ROYAL MADRAS FUSILIERS AND THE POST 1880 1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS), WHO SAW SERVICE AT THE DEFENCE OF LUCKNOW DURING THE INDIAN MUTINY.

PRIVATE RICHARD AVNELL, 1ST MADRAS `(EUROPEAN) FUSILIERS (THE POST 1860 102ND ROYAL MADRAS FUSILIERS AND THE POST 1880 1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS), WHO SAW SERVICE AT THE DEFENCE OF LUCKNOW DURING THE INDIAN MUTINY. India General Service Medal 1854-1895, 1 clasp, Pegu (officially impressed: RICHARD AVNELL 1st. MADRAS FUSrs). Attractively toned, Good Very Fine to Almost Extremely Fine.

Medal accompanied by extract 1841 census, extract Indian Mutiny Medal roll, Chelsea Pensioner admission record and marriage and death records.

Richard Avnell was born in the parish of St James, Clerkenwell, London. He is recorded in the 1841 census return as a 15 year old Furrier living with his father, a 45 year old clock maker, mother, brother and three sisters in St James Street, Finsbury, Clerkenwell. Avnell was discharged on 10/12/1867 and admitted as a Chelsea Pensioner in December 1867, his pension being paid at the North London Pension Office at the rate of 1 shilling per day. Avnell married Louisa Boyd at St Luke’s Church, Chelsea, on 8/4/1868 and died in Chelsea on 23/1/1870.

Richard Avnell also saw service at the Defence of Lucknow during the Indian Mutiny with the 1st Madras Fusiliers and was a member of the First Relief Force (also entitled Indian Mutiny Medal with with clasps Defence of Lucknow and Lucknow).

376 Defence of Lucknow clasps awarded to the 1st Madras Fusiliers.

The Avnells (surname also spellt Avenell), a Hugenot family, were prominent clockmakers in England during the 18th century.