Description
China Medal 1857-60, 2nd China War, 2 bars, Taku Forts 1860, Pekin 1860, Private William Fawn, 67th (Hampshire) Regiment of Foot, dangerously wounded in the famous 5 VCs action at Peiho Fort on 21st August 1860.
On 21st August 1860, William Fawn was Dangerously Wounded in Action during the Battle of Taku Forts.
On one of the most famous days the Royal Hampshire has seen, they earned on just that day 5 Victoria Crosses, being all the VCs the regiment earned during their history until WW1.
2 men from the regiment, future VC winners Lieut Burslem and Private Lane created a breach in the wall and going through were thrust back with wounds, they managed to get through along with Ensign Chaplin, who fearlessly carried the Queen’s Colour.
More of the 67th managed to squeeze through the opening and make it in, carrying the Colours, Chaplin was wounded at least 3 times and was escorted forward holding the flag by his comrades.
They came through the desparate fighting victorious, planting the flag on the breached fort declaring victory, it came at a great cost, losing 6 men killed outright and 63 wounded, including Pte Fawn.
4 of the Soldiers were awarded the Victoria Cross, adding a 5th for the brave work of Hospital Apprentice Andrew Fitzgibbon of the 67th, a boy of just 15 years old, for attending the wounded becoming wounded himself in his efforts.
Officially impressed: “Wm Fawn. 67th Regt”
Confirmed on the Medal Roll
Listed in the London Gazette official casualty lists 4th November 1860, as having been “Dangerously Wounded, Splinter of right knee”.
At the time casualties were graded in severity as: Slightly, Severely, Dangerously and Killed.
Corporal William Fawn, was born in Croydon, Mithcham, Surrey and was a Servant prior to enlistment.
He was baptised as “William Steel Fawn” in Mitcham on 26th October 1828, the son of John and Catherine Fawn.
He first enlisted for the 67th at Westminster on 6th July 1846, he was just 15 years and 6 months old at the time.
William served a long time, his man’s service did not begin until he turned 18, after which he completed 21 years of service, leaving the Army aged 39, about 24 years after first joining, amassing 21 years to his pension and receiving the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal for his stellar conduct throughout.
On discharge it was noted he still carried a “Scar from wound on right knee”.
Having spent most of his career as a Private he was promoted to Corporal on 11th June 1866 and remained in that rank until his discharge on 27th January 1870, “At his own request, free with pension after 21 years of service.”
His papers noted that much of his service was spent on deployment overseas, out of 21 years of service, 16 years and 343 were abroad consisting of:
Gibraltar, 3 years 165 days
West Indies, 5 years 259 Days
East Indies, 304 Days
China, 5 Years 331 days
Cape of Good Hope, 1 year 14 days.
“His conduct has been very good, he is in possession of 5 good conduct badge. Has the China Medal 1860 with clasps for Taku forts and Pekin and the Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct”.
Behaviour record: “Never tried or entered in the Regimental Defaulters Book.”
Wounds in service: “Wounded in the right knee at the Taku Forts 21 August 1860”
