Indian Mutiny Medal with clasp Lucknow and Relief of Lucknow. Named: PHIp GRIFFIN. 53rd REGt
The 53rd Regiment was not in India when the Mutiny broke out in May 1857. They were urgently dispatched from Britain as reinforcements and arrived in Calcutta in the autumn. They were immediately sent up-country to join the main field army being assembled under the new Commander-in-Chief, Sir Colin Campbell. This means Private Griffin and his comrades were thrown directly into the fire, participating in one of the most intense campaigns of the war.
The 53rd Regiment was a key part of Sir Colin Campbell's column that fought its way through the city to relieve the besieged garrison at the Residency. They were sent as reinforcements and fought one of the most intense campaigns of the war. Almost all the defenders were killed. The 53rd Regiment also took part in the Assault on the Secundra Bagh, a large walled garden compound defended by over 2,000 mutineers. For his involvement in these fights Griffin was awarded the Relief of Lucknow Clasp and the Lucknow Clasp.
