SERGEANT J. HOWELLS, 53RD FOOT (THE POST 1880 1ST BATTALION KING’S SHROPSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY). Punjab Medal 1848-1849, no clasp

SERGEANT J. HOWELLS, 53RD FOOT (THE POST 1880 1ST BATTALION KING’S SHROPSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY). Punjab Medal 1848-1849, no clasp (officially named, impressed in serifed block capitals: SERJT. J. HOWELLS, 53rd. FOOT). Good Very Fine to Almost Extremely Fine.

Medal accompanied by 7 pages copied service papers, extract British Army Worldwide Index for 1841, Chelsea Pensioners admission record, and copied Medal Roll extract confirming a award of the Punjab Medal with no clasp, the medal roll noting that recipient was employed during the campaign in the Punjab to the occupation of Peshawar and had embarked for England on 1st February 1851.

John Howells was born in the parish of Minestead, Romsey, Hampshire, in 1812. He enlisted into the 53rd Foot on 9/8/1830. At the time of enlistment Howells was 18 years and 5 months old and gave his trade as that of labourer. He was promote Corporal 16/11/1835, Sergeant, 7/4/1844 and discharged at Chatham on 8/7/1851 after 20 years and 315 days service with the colours (20 years and 42 days pensionable service), Howells being discharged “unfit for further service” as a result of general disability and rheumatism. At the time of discharge Howells was 39 years old and gave his intended place of residence as Southampton.

The 1841 British Army Worldwide Index records Howells as a Corporal serving with the 53rd Foot at Plymouth, Devon.

Howells was granted a Chelsea pension on 8/7/1851.