Description
Punjab Medal, 2 bars, Goojerat, Chilianwala, Private William Henry Hartwell, 24th Regiment of Foot, who survived the famous epic bayonet charge by the 24th at Chilianwala.
Officially impressed: “W. H. Hartwell, 24th Foot.”
Some light polishing and slight star pitting to left side from a possible Maharajpoor Star earned with the 39th Regt, who he was serving with in India at the time.
Confirmed on the medal roll as entitled to the Punjab medal and both clasps.
Lucky to survive the famous and suicidal bayonet charge made by the 24th Foot at Chilianwala, where they lost a significant number of men as killed or wounded.
Very unusual combination of a Maharajpoor Star with the 39th and a Punjab to the 24th Foot.
The 39th had made a magnificent infantry charge during the Battle of Maharajpoor where they lost their commanding officer, and were engaged in fierce hand to hand fighting to capture the enemy guns.
William Henry Hartwell, was born on 13th February 1824, and baptised in St Mary, Battersea, London on 9th August 1824.
The son of William and Mary Hartwell.
He joined the Army as a young man, shown on the 1841 Army Index and Census as stationed in Chatham Barracks as a Private of the 39th Foot.
Volunteered for the 24th Foot in September 1846. This coincides with their return home following about 13 years service in India since 1832. Volunteers who wished to remain in India were encouraged to volunteer for another regiment.
Fought through the Punjab War with the 24th Foot earning this medal and both bars for the Battles of Chilianwala and Goojerat.
He was invalided back home to England on 11th February 1857.
He died soon afterwards in Neithrop, Oxfordshire, being buried as “Henry William Hartwell” on 13th July 1857.
Banbury Guardian 23rd July 1857 records his death:
“DEATHS, July 13, at Neithrop, Henry William Hartwell, Private of the 24th Regiment of Foot.”
