Description
Indian Mutiny, 2 bars, Lucknow, Delhi, Sutlej, for Sobraon, Sergeant former Trumpeter Charles Billett, 9th Lancers, one of the “Delhi Spearman”.
Band Sergeant Charles Billett, 21st Hussars, 4th Bengal Cavalry and long time 9th Lancers man, one of the original batch who first went out to India in 1842 and never returned having died there in his new appointment as Band Sergeant of the 21st Hussars at Abbotabad in 1862.
Sutlej Medal officially impressed: “Trumpr Chas Billett, 9th Lancers”
Indian Mutiny officially impressed: “Serjt Chas Billett 9th Lancers”
Both confirmed on the medal roll. A rare combination, only 79 men from the 9th Lancers earning the Lucknow, Delhi 2 clasp combination.
Sutlej with contacting but well kept over his long mounted career, Mutiny in excellent condition as awarded near his death.
In-between these he also earned the Punjab Medal 1848-9, with bars for Goojerat and Chilianwala, this medal is known to exist and was last seen with a collector from OMSA in USA.
With digital copies (about 200 images) of his muster and pay list entries chronicling his long career.
Charles Billet was first recruited into the 9th Lancers at Manchester on 12th June 1841.
He set off “Embarking for India” on 1st June 1842, part of the original contingent of the 9th Lancers who went to India, and were not due to return until after the Indian Mutiny.
The regiment arrived on a few ships in mid to late 1842 Charles is recorded having “Landed in the East Indies on 23rd September 1842”.
There is a possibility he also rode in the Gwalior Campaign at the Battle of Punniar, earning the star, he is on the muster rolls written during the period at “Camp Punniar”, however no medal roll exists to check this.
He was appointed as a Trumpeter on 1st December 1844, and served in this capacity in the upcoming First Anglo-Sikh “Sutlej” War earning his first medal for his involvement in the Battle of Sobraon in February 1846.
He was appointed to Corporal on 29th July 1851.
Then promoted to Sergeant on 31st December 1858.
During the Indian Mutiny, the 9th Lancers would receive a fearsome reputation for their fighting and earned the nickname during the Siege of Delhi of the “Delhi Spearmen”.
Following the end of the Mutiny, Charles transferred over to the 4th Bengal Cavalry on 28th February 1859.
The 9th Lancers was finally due back home in May 1859 after about 17 years in India, some men were accustomed to India and volunteered to stay on, apparently 147 men such as Sergt Billet opted to remain in India and were drafted into regiments, he joined the 21st Hussars.
He would then join the 21st Lancers and was serving as a Band Sergeant when he died on 2nd October 1862 of Hepatitis at Abbotabad, Campbellpore (Now part of Pakistan).
INDIAN MUTINY SERVICE
During the Indian Mutiny, the 9th Lancers gained much renown and walked away with 12 Victoria Crosses for their bravery.
Charles took part in the Siege and Capture of Delhi during Mid 1857 which lasted from 30th May – 14th September 1857, where they became the “Delhi Spearmen”.
According to the medal roll he “Proceeded to Umbulla on Duty, 7th September 1857. Rejoined 1st March 1858”
Due to this he missed out on the “Relief of Lucknow” Clasp, which was earned for the second Lucknow Relief Force in November 1857, but would go on to earn his “Lucknow” clasp taking part in the final operations leading to the surrender of Lucknow and the clearing of the Surrounding areas right as he rejoined them in March 1858.
