Single Campaign Medals 339


The Indian Mutiny medal awarded to Major C. W. Austen, 83rd Regiment, who afterwards commanded the 2/14th Regiment in New Zealand during the Waikato War of 1863, was wounded in the first skirmish of the campaign at Koheroa, and died of wounds received in the battle of Ringariri in November 1863


Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Central India (Major C. W. Austen, 83rd Regt.) attractively toned, extremely fine and rare


£3,000-£4,000


This Indian Mutiny medal represents Austen’s sole entitlement as the New Zealand medal was conferred only upon surviving British officers and men, and was not issued to the next of kin of those who were killed or died.


Charles Wilson Austen was born at Chevening, Kent, in August 1818, second son of Rev. John Austen, and was baptised there on 20 September. He was appointed Ensign in the 83rd Regiment on 14 December 1838; Lieutenant, 15 December 1840; Captain, 1 December 1848; Major, 16 May 1856; Lieutenant-Colonel, 26 October 1858; appointed to the 14th Regiment, commanding the 2nd Battalion, 10 June 1862. He served during the suppression of the Indian Mutiny, including the affair of Sanganeer on 8 August 1858, defeat of the Gwalior rebels at Kotaria, and commanded the Head Quarters of the 83rd Regiment at the surprise and attack on the rebels at Seckur on 21 January 1859 (Medal with Clasp).


Austen commanded the 2nd Battalion 14th Regiment in New Zealand during the Waikato war of 1863, and was wounded on 17 July at the battle of Koheroa, where the Maoris had entrenched themselves at well-selected points where they had constructed rifle-pits. General Cameron reported in his despatch: ‘These he defended with great obstinacy; and, as we had no artillery on the field, we could only dislodge him from them with the bayonet, which was done with great gallantry by the young soldiers of the 14th led by the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Col. Austen, who, I regret to say, received a wound in the arm during the action.’ The British lost 2 killed and 9 wounded in this action, the first skirmish of the campaign.


On the afternoon of 20 November 1863, Lieutenant-General Duncan Cameron attacked Rangiriri Pa with about 1400 imperial troops. According to one report these included 386 men of the 65th Regiment. 320 of the 40th, 186 of the 14th, 112 of the 12th, 54 Royal Artillery and 15 Royal Engineers, as well as 200 officers and men of the Royal Navy. The Rangiriri line was manned by about 500 defenders. Despite success elsewhere along the line, the British failed in at least eight attempts to take the central redoubt before nightfall. The remaining defenders were tricked into surrendering the following morning.


In his subsequent despatch Captain Strange, 2/14th, upon whom the command of the battalion devolved, states: ‘On arrival in front of the enemy’s position, two companies were thrown into skirmishing order opposite the right of their works, for the purpose of preventing their escape by a swamp on their flank, the remainder being in support. At the cessation of the cannonade, on the order to advance, the skirmishers and supports advanced under a heavy fire, availing themselves of such cover as the ground afforded, until within about fifteen yards of the enemy’s works, and lay down, to continue the firing to keep down that of the enemy, who in considerable number occupied the ditch and parapet of a strong redoubt. Several men occupied the ditch to be in readiness to prevent any of the enemy from escaping in the event of their being carried by escalade, upon whom a heavy fire was kept up by the enemy. This party remained in the ditch until after dark, and was then withdrawn, a few men having been detained to form a mine under the direction of the C.R.E. I beg to add that Lieutenant-Colonel Austen was severely wounded early in the action, and Captain Phelps dangerously whilst directing the fire of the men close to the enemy’s works. There were also five men killed and one corporal and eight men wounded.’


Colonel Austen’s wounds, though severe, were not thought dangerous, but they refused to heal and he died on 7 December 1863. His service and death is best summed up by his obituary in the Daily Southern Cross on 8 December 1863: ‘We regret exceedingly to have to announce that Lieutenant Colonel Austen died at the Queen's redoubt on Monday, at half-past three o'clock in the afternoon, of a wound he received in the attack upon Rangiriri. He was shot in the thigh, where the ball lodged, and from the first the wound was considered to be very severe; but it was not anticipated that it would have ended fatally. Lockjaw we understand was the immediate cause of death; and thus another valuable life has to be placed to the account of Rangiriri. The body of the deceased gentleman was brought into Auckland last evening, and was deposited in one of the barrack-rooms in the Albert Barracks. The funeral will take place to-morrow, the procession leaving the barracks at 4 o'clock. Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Wilson Austen entered the army as Ensign in the 83rd Regiment on the 11th December, 1838; he became a Lieutenant on the 15th December, 1840; Captain on the 1st December, 1848; Major on the 16th May, 1856; and Lieutenant-Colonel on the 26th October, 1858. While in this regiment, he served during the suppression of the Indian Mutiny, including the affair of Sanganeer on the 8th August, 1858, and in the defeat of the Gwalior rebels at Kotaria; and he commanded the head-quarters of the regiment at the surprise and attack on the rebels at Seekur, on the 21st January, 1859, for which he received a medal. He was a schoolfellow of Sir George Grey at the Military College, Sandhurst. On the 10th June, 1862, he was transferred to the 14th Regiment for service in New Zealand, arrived some time during the end of last year, and was engaged in the last Taranaki war. He led the attack at Koherea, assisted by the late Captain Phelps and Captains Strange and McIver, and he was there wounded in the arm; from which, however, he had quite recovered. He commanded the post at Whangamarino until the advance was made on Meremere. We need hardly remind our readers of the prominent part Colonel Austen took in the attack on Rangiriri, or refer more at present to his unfortunate end. Before the war broke out he was about to retire from the service, owing to his succession to a large property by the death of his brother; but the course of events here altered his determination. The grave will close to-day over a gallant soldier, and one who was a great favourite with his regiment.’


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