Military General Service, clasp Java, 59th Foot wounded in the assault on Fort Cornelis, Java, 26/8/1811 and discharged in consequence

Military General Service,  clasp Java,

Thomas Light,  59th Foot

Wounded in the assault on Fort Cornelis, Java, 26/8/1811 and discharged in consequence.

B. Chippenham, Wilts 1784, enl. 59th in 1804, disch 18/3/1812 and died at Chippenham 1866

The British stormed the fort at midnight on 25 August, capturing it after a bitter fight. The siege cost the British 630 casualties. The defenders’ casualties were heavier, but only those among officers were fully recorded. Forty of them were killed, sixty-three wounded and 230 captured, including two French generals. Nearly 5,000 men were captured, including three general officers, 34 field officers, 70 captains and 150 subaltern officers. 1,000 men were found dead in the fort, with more being killed in the subsequent pursuit.

The 59th bore the brunt of the assault and the heaviest casualties on the guns of the enormous fortress which was some one mile long and defended by around 280 cannon.  16  Officers over 150 other ranks were killed or wounded.