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William Drysdale was commissioned into the 4th Light Dragoons in 1835 and served in the First Afghan War. He was at siege and capture of Ghuznee. He exchanged into the 9th Lancers as a lieutenant in 1843 and was in the Gwalior Campaign, fighting at Punniar on 29 Dec 1843. He was in both Sikh Wars, fighting at Sobraon, the Passage of the Chenab, Ramnaggur, Chillianwala, and Goojerat.
He was prominent in the campaigns of the Indian Mutiny in 1857 to 58. At the siege of Delhi he was in command of the 9th Lancers from 18 August 1857 to the end of the siege. In the final assault his horse was shot dead. He also commanded the regiment in Greathed’s column, and was in action at Bolundshuhur where his horse was wounded. He was at the battle of Allyghur, and mentioned in despatches after the action at Agra. He was at the Relief of Lucknow. For his services he was promoted to major and given a brevet of lieutenant-colonel. In May 1861 he was appointed Commanding Officer of the 9th Lancers with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. The photo shows him in the field officer’s uniform of the 9th Lancers (blue tunic with a small red plastron on the upper chest) with an embroidered crown badge on each side of his collar, denoting the rank of lieutenant-colonel at that time. He has medals for each of the Sikh Wars, the Punniar Star and a medal for the Indian Mutiny with two clasps. Also he has the insignia of a Companion to the Order of the Bath (CB, later elevated to KCB). In retirement he lived at 15 Bury Street, St James’s, London. He died on 7 August 1900. Solicitors Park Nelson & Co published a notice concerning his will in the London Gazette of 7 Sep 1900.
1835 Cornet 4th Light Dragoons 20 Dec |
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