Description
Punjab Medal 1848-9, 2 bars, Goojerat, Mooltan, Private George Lune H.M. 32nd Regiment of Foot, a 21 year veteran and original Defender during the Siege of Lucknow.
Naming officially engraved in running script in the style of the Calcutta Mint: “Private George Lune H.M. 32 ** oot”
Some loss to naming at 3 and 9 o’clock typical with long wear on service.
George later earned the Indian Mutiny Medal bar Defence of Lucknow and at the end of his career the Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal.
With copy service papers.
George Lune was born in Erdington, Birmingham, Warwickshire during 1825. Being baptised at Coleshill.
Son of William Lune and Lucy nee Brown.
George first enlisted into the 81st Foot with service number 2012 on 20th November 1844, before transferring over with number 2608 to the 32nd Foot on 1st March 1845, remaining with them for the rest of his career for 20 more years.
Following service in the Indian Mutiny he was advanced to Corporal on 1st September 1859.
He was discharged to pension on 5th January 1865 on completion of 21 years service and 48 days of service.
Out of this, 21 years and 11 months were spent on service overseas, all in India, his many battle honours are recounted on his papers as:
“In East Indies, 12 years 11 Months.
Served in the 1st and 2nd Siege operations before Mooltan 1848-9.
Evacuation of Fort Cheniste February 1849, Battle of Goojerat on 21st February 1849. Medal and 2 Clasps.
Defence of Lucknow 1st July to 22nd November 1857,
Battle of Cawnpore 6th December 1857,
Capture of Fort Dehien 14th July 1858 and Fort Syhool 16 & 17th July 1858,
Action of Duadpore 20th October 1858 (Medal and clasp).”
He maintained a flawless career as a soldier:
“His conduct has been Very Good, he is in possession of 5 good conduct badges and the medal for long service and good conduct. He also has the Punjaub Medal with 2 clasps – and the Indian Mutiny Medal and one clasp for Defence of Lucknow.
No entry in the defaulters book & never tried by court martial.”
Having finally retired after a long career, he married Hannah Lea in Birmingham during 1867, and lived in Boldmere, noted as a Pensioner in the 1871 Census there.
However he died shortly afterwards and was buried at St Barnabas in Erdington during 1872.
The local Birmingham Morning News reports on 16th March 1872:
“Lune – On the 16th inst at Green Lanes, Sutton Coldfield, of heart disease, Mr George Lune, deeply regretted”
