Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Wadeson, Richard
WADESON, RICHARD (1826–1885), colonel, was born at Gaythorse, near Lancaster, on 31 July 1826. On 17 Nov. 1843 he enlisted at Plymouth in the 75th (Stirlingshire) regiment, now the 1st battalion of the Gordon highlanders. He was promoted to corporal on 27 Aug. 1846 and sergeant on 7 Nov. 1848, and embarked for India in the following year. He was sergeant-major of the regiment, to which rank he had been appointed on 24 Feb. 1854, when the Sepoy mutiny broke out in India. The 75th regiment made forced marches from Kussauli, in the Himalayas, to Umballa, where, in May, it formed portion of the force ordered to proceed to Delhi, then in the hands of the mutineers. On 2 June of this year, 1857, Wadeson was promoted to a commission as ensign in the regiment, without purchase, and was advanced to the rank of lieutenant on 19 Sept. following. He served with the regiment throughout the mutiny campaign, including the battle of Budleekerserai, when the 75th carried the key of the rebel position by assault. He was present during the siege operations before Delhi and the repulse of the sorties on 12 and 15 June, the repulse of the night attacks on the camp on 19 and 23 June, and 14 and 18 July. On the latter occasion his bravery was most conspicuous. When the regiment was engaged in the Subjee Mundee, at great personal risk he saved the life of a private who was attacked by a rebel sowar, whom Wadeson killed. On the same day he rescued another private of his regiment, who was lying wounded and helpless, and was attacked by one of the rebel cavalry. On this occasion also he slew his man. For these acts of gallantry he was mentioned in despatches, and received the distinction of the Victoria cross. He was with the regiment and was wounded at the assault of Delhi on 14 Sept. 1857; and at the close of the campaign received the medal and clasp.
On 11 March 1859 he was appointed adjutant of the regiment, which position he retained until promoted to captain on 9 Dec. 1864. He was with the 75th during the fenian disturbances of 1866–67, and served in Gibraltar, Singapore, Hongkong, Mauritius, and the Cape, until promoted to major on 11 July 1872. In 1873 the 75th returned home, and was quartered in England and Ireland, and there, on 18 Dec. 1875, he was promoted to the command of the regiment, which he held at home and in the Channel Islands until his promotion to a brevet colonelcy on 18 Dec. 1880. As a reward for his faithful service he was on 26 March 1881 given the appointment of major and lieutenant-governor of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, where he died on 24 Jan. 1885. He was buried with military honours, and a brass tablet has been erected in the hospital to his memory.
[Records 75th Regimental District; Guide to Chelsea Hospital; Army Lists.]