Indian Mutiny, Lucknow, Second Lieutenant , R.M. H.M.S. Shannon , second in command of the R. Marines contingent of Shannon’s Naval Brigade; he was twice severely wounded (gunshot wounds thigh & leg)at Khujwa (mentioned) and did good service at Lucknow, later taking command on the death of Captain Gray (several times mentioned)

Indian Mutiny clasp, Lucknow

2nd Lieut. Wm. Sterling, R.M. Shannon.

William Stirling (Sterling on roll and medal)  born on 16 June 1837, at Kingston upon Thames, son of Lieutenant Thomas Stirling R.N.

From  1869 List

‘Lieut. Stirling served in India during the mutiny and was twice severely wounded in the action at Kudjwa on 1st Nov. 1857 (mentioned in despatches); also present in General Windham’s operations at Cawnpore and the defeat of the Gwalior Contingent, action of Kala Nuddee, seige and capture of Lucknow, and with the field force during the operations of 1857-58 (several times mentioned in despatches, Medal and Clasp)

Entered the Royal Marines as 2nd Lieutenant,  on 23 April 1855; posted aboard H.M.S. Princess Royal, then to H.M.S. Perseverance on 8 January 1856; to Chatham Headquarters on 28 July 1856; and to H.M.S. Shannon on 27 September 1856.

Stirling proceeded up the Ganges with the first detachment of the Naval Brigade under the command of Captain W. Peel R.N. in August 1857. Stirling commanded Shannon’s Marines in the action at Khujwa on 1 November 1857, when a strong force of 4,000 mutineers was signally defeated. In this action, Lieutenant Stirling received gunshot wounds to his thigh and calf. (severely as to the casualty return from ‘Shannon’). From a strength of 103 officers, men and marines the Naval Brigade had 3 ratings mortally wounded, and 3 officers and 11 ratings wounded. Total losses to the British was 95 killed and wounded including Lieutenant-Colonel Powell of the 53rd Regiment.

Stirling rejoined the Brigade from Hospital at Cawnpore on Christmas day 1857. Lieutenant Verney R.N. notes in his book that Stirling, although not fully recovered from his injuries, was present at the battle of Kala Nuddee Bridge on 3 January 1858, and the subsequent operations at Futtehgurh. He served with the army under Lord Clyde during the siege and capture of Lucknow and frequently had command of the batteries. Assuming command of the Marine detachment upon the death of Captain Gray on 8 May 1858, he also served at Ayah from April to July 1858, when the Brigade marched down to rejoin their ship at Calcutta. (He received a gratuity of one year’s pay for wounds received at Khujwa.) A telegram from H.M.S. Pylades dated Calcutta, 7 September 1858, states that Lieut. Stirling R.M. bears the highest testimony to his zeal and gallantry in the execution of his duties.

Stirling returned to Woolwich Head Quarters on 15 January 1859; to H.M.S. Edgar on 5 June 1859.  At his own request he was placed on half-pay on 2 February 1864, and died at Porlock, Somerset, on 20 June 1869, of cardiac disease, aged 32 years.

With extensive research

A rare Marines officer’s medal