Description
Indian Mutiny, 2 bars, Lucknow, Delhi, Private George Castles, 1st Bn Bengal European Fusiliers, wounded at Lucknow and died of wounds a month later, precursor to Royal Munster Fusiliers
Officially impressed: “Geo. Castles, 1st Eurn Bengal Fusrs”
Excellent good condition overall
Slightly Wounded in Action during the operations to capture Lucknow, 10th March 1858.
Died on 18th April 1858.
Confirmed on the medal roll for the medal and both clasps.
A very unusual combination of clasps, out of the entire medal roll of about 56,000 men only approximately 501 would earn the Lucknow and Delhi 2 bar combination.
The combination was pretty much only won by the 1st Bengal European Fusiliers, along with the British 9th Lancers.
George would not live to see it, but after the war in 1861 the regiment joined the British Army from the H.E.I.C. becoming the 101st Royal Bengal Fusiliers.
And in 1881 combined with the 104th Regiment of Foot (Bengal Fusiliers) and the Militia of Munster, Ireland, to become the Royal Munster Fusiliers, who absorbed their Battle Honours.
Notably on 9th March 1858, Thomas Adair Butler of the 1st Bengal European Fusiliers won his Victoria Cross at Lucknow.
This was only 1 of 5 Victoria Crosses earned during the war by the 1st Bengal European Fusiliers.
During the Siege of Delhi, on 14th September 1857, the regiment lost their commanding officer Major George Ogle Jacobs, “Who whilst commanding his regiment was mortally wounded at the storming of Delhi, on the 14th September 1857.”
