An Intrepid American born Fighting Irish 'Teenage Trumpeter' who witnessed the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny at Meerut Cantonment & later dropped a Rebel with a well aimed pistol-shot: Trumpet-Major William McCaffrey, 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers)

Dispatch of a Rebel: The moment that Trumpeter McCaffery shot dead a Rebel in the heat of battle, has been captured for posterity by the reminiscences of Private Rowland Dance, 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers) whose life was saved by Trumpeter McCaffery, per the published account in the Port Sunlight Monthly Journal (which hard-copy extracts are sold together with the medal group):

Quote,

Crack! Went a pistol shot behind me; my third opponent toppled off his horse in a heap, and I quickly dismounted and released Browne's foot and helped him to mount. It was the squadron trumpeter who had fired the timely shot and if I did anything to help Browne out of his difficulty, Trumpeter McCaffrey certainly saved me.'

Unquote.

- Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (P** W*. McCaffrey, 6th Dn. Gds)
- Indian Mutiny Medal 1857-59. With clasp 'Delhi' (Trumpr. Wm. McCaffrey, 6th Dragn. Gds.)
- Turkey (Ottoman Empire): Plugged at 12 o’clock & fitted with a ‘British Crimea’ style suspension

The Crimea Medal with contemporary engraved naming, the rank & forename worn & partially legible

Medals & Clasps Verification: There were no medal rolls compiled for the Turkish issue Crimea Medal - the medal was however an automatic award for any British soldier who had qualified for a British issue Crimea Medal. The British issue Crimea Medal and clasp, & Indian Mutiny Medal confirmed as entitled per the respective medal rolls cited below:

- Crimea Medal 1854. With clasp: WO 100/24 (the roll marked H&R. for where the medal was named)
- Indian Mutiny Medal. With clasp 'Central India': WO 100/35
- Turkey Crimea Medal: An automatic entitlement for British soldiers who had qualified for a Crimea Medal

William McCaffrey was born in America in 1839 and attested for the 6th Dragoon Guards at Dublin on 13 March 1854 with the rank of Private. Serving in the Crimea and Turkey for 312 days he earned entitlement to the Sebastopol clasp and was appointed Trumpeter at the end of the war on 31 July 1856.

Posted on to India with his unit McCaffrey was still there on the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny. The 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers) one of the units stationed at Meerut oat the flashpoint of the Mutiny. At least one of them was killed in the opening bloodbath having ventured alone into the market, he was cornered and torn apart by a mob.

After the mutineers marched on Delhi, they were one of the units which marched north under General Anson, laying Siege to the City. They were engaged repeatedly there, combating sallies and attempting to intercept mutineers who marched to the city from garrisons across Bengal.

Afterwards they reformed and were provided with drafts of replacements to cover the losses at Delhi before continuing to campaign. Despite aiming to take part in the relief of Lucknow the Regiment arrived too late to take part in the action and instead formed one of the many columns pursuing rebel forces across Northern India.

They engaged a force at Nugeenah on 23 April 1858 during which McCaffrey's Squadron charged a large body of enemy cavalry. It was here that he saved Private Dance's life whilst he freed their fallen Sergeant's foot from his stirrup. Dance notes he was promoted to the rank of Corporal for the action, McCaffrey does not appear to have won such a distinction but did receive Good Conduct Pay in March 1860.

McCaffrey attained the rank of Sergeant-Major on 14 May 1873 and continued to serve with the 6th Dragoon Guards. He was discharged at Canterbury on 13 March 1878

The recipients service papers are extant and accessible at The National Archives

Sold with some hard-copy research

A superb hard-fighting campaign medal group to a teenage witness & participant of the Crimean War and Indian Mutiny   

Condition: GF

Code: 25721