Description
Indian Mutiny Medal, bar Lucknow, Armourer Sergeant William Blake, 53rd (Shropshire) Regiment of Foot, died at Barrackpore, India during 1860.
Officially impressed: “ARMr SERGt Wm BLAKE 53rd REGt”
Confirmed on the medal roll, entitled to both the medal and clasp, as the regiment’s only Armourer Sergeant, one of the Regiment’s Senior NCOs.
As the rank of “Armourer Sergeant” is usually unique to a regiment, this would be the only 53rd Indian Mutiny medal named to this rank, and only 50 medals were issued in total to the British Army with this rank, in each corresponding unit.
William Blake was born during 1820.
The 53rd Shropshire Regiment of Foot, saw a lot of action in the Indian mutiny, and left with 5 Victoria Crosses.
Following the end of the Indian Mutiny, the regiment remained stationed in India until it returned home to England during 1860.
However, before he could make the trip home, Armourer Sergeant Blake died of Cholera on 27th February 1860, at Barrackpore, India.
He was buried by Chaplain W.J. Humphrey, described in his burial register as a “Armourer and Private in H.M. 53rd Regt.”
As he was 40 years old, and your typical soldier signed up around 18-20 years old, he seemed to be extremely close to his 21 year pension had he lived to return home with his Regiment.
