Lt. William F LEICESTER, 30th BNI, wounded Chillianwallah

[acanthus]

Hi all,

Dose anyone have the casualty role for the 2nd Sikh War?

I am looking for the details regarding Lt. Frederick William Leicester, 30th Bengal Native Infantry, seriously wounded at the Battle of Chilianwala; in particular, I would like to know the circumstances surrounding his injury and the nature of his wounds.

Also any additional information regarding the service of this officer (Indian Mutiny etc.) would be appreciated.

Gordon

[acanthus]

Hello again,

Might be better if I got his name correct, it should be William Frederick Leicester, sorry about that, I had his Christian names in the wrong order.

Gordon

[Billy Fish]

Hello Gordon,

Reference Captain William Frederick LEICESTER late 30th Native Infantry.

Ensign 11th Dec 1847- Lieut 15th Nov 1853 Captain 18th Feb 1861.

Service : Captain Leicester served during the Punjab Campaign 48,49 Present at the Passage of the Chenab and Battle of Chillianwallah ( Severely wounded 1849) ( passed examination in Field Engineering)

I am unable to say what he was doing during the Indian Mutiny, but I will check my database for any information.

After the Indian Mutiny he became attached to the 3rd Sikh Irregular Cavalry and commanded a squadron at Gorruckpore in 1861. He was still in command of the squadron when the 3rd Sikh Irregular Cavalry as a regiment was disbanded at Seegowlie on 6th July 1861. As Major Leicester he went on permanent half pay on 24th May 1866, he was still living in1889.

These details come from hand written records kept by the commanding officer of the 3rd Sikh Irregular Cavalry, Major George Godfrey Pearse later General George Godfrey Pearse C.B.

I may have a picture /photograph of Major Leicester in my records I will check and let you know.

Regards
Billy Fish

[Billy Fish]

Hello Gordon

Another snippet of information, I have just checked the Bengal Army List 1859 and it lists Lieutenant W.F. Leicester as Adjutant of the 3rd Seikh (Sikh) Infantry stationed at Gorruckpore District. In the remarks column it states... Adjutant -Fur. S.C. 31st May 57.
I assume this would mean furlough or leave of absence, but I cannot imagine that he would have been able to take it as the Indian Mutiny erupted on the 10th May 1857 at Meerut.

Regards
Billy Fish

[acanthus]

Hi Billy,

Thanks very much for that, I already have information from an 1860 EIC list with the same notation that he was with the Sikh Infantry, just as you state re the 1859 list. In view of the hand wriitten notes you refer to, do you think it posible that the reference to "INF" in the lists might be a mistake by the printer, owing to the confusion brought about by the Mutiny.

On account of the fact that the regimental number is the same, as in 3rd Sikh Cavalry and 3rd Sikh Infantry, it makes you wander whether they are both correct, or the notes are correct and the list is wrong or vise versa; I would be interested in your opinion?

Also regarding the notes written by the CO, do you own these notes, or are they held in a library or such like, or transcribed in a book; is it possible to get a scanned copy of the note?, and can you tell me the name of the officer who wrote the notes?

Again, many thanks.

Regards

Gordon

[Jonathan]

Hello, Gordon! Here are the details Billy Fish posted on the author:

These details come from hand written records kept by the commanding officer of the 3rd Sikh Irregular Cavalry, Major George Godfrey Pearse later General George Godfrey Pearse C.B.

[acanthus]

Hello again Billy,

What I actually meant to say/ask was re the notes, do you think the the notes may have be written by an assistant officer on behalf of the CO, and that he made a mistake (in that case, what were the names of the officers of the 3rd Sikk cavalry at that time).

Gordon

[Billy Fish]

Hi Gordon,

The details regarding Major W.F. Leicester were definately written by his Commanding Officer General George Godfrey Pearse in ' History of the 3rd Seikh Irregular Cavalry', the copy I have taken it from is Pearse's own handwriting and the remarks are at the side of Leicester's name. Pearse has listed every officer and native officer who served with the 3rd Seikh Irregular Cavalry and lists all actions in detail that that they fought in, including casualties. Pearse even indicates what he personally thought of each officer as a soldier and gentleman. For example at the side of Lieut A.D.Jennings 'He drank to freely'.

The information regarding Leicester is hand written at the side of his name however it also includes the comment 'see his likeness at p.109'.

Scan101 Major W.F. Leicester.jpg (9.78 KiB) Viewed 2942 times

Regards,
Billy Fish

[acanthus]

Hi Billy,

Wonderful!!! Are there any supporting notes or additional information in the margin regarding Leicester (What did the Co think of him?), his War Service or injuries etc?

I am heavily involved in writing an article at the moment and any additional information will make it so much better. Would I be able to use the photo of Leicester in my article?

Do you know if the book was ever re- produced as a formal publication? Or dose it exist only as as private record?

Thanks very much.

Gordon