Waterloo 1815 (Qr. Mast. Ser. J. Rossitter, 2nd Batt. 44th Reg. Foot.) fitted with replacement steel clip and ring suspension, contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine £2500-3000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Napoleonic Medals and Artefacts.

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Ex W. E. Gray Collection 1898, and Glendining May 1920.

John Rossitter enlisted into the 44th Foot on 3 March 1804, and served in the 2nd Battalion until its disbandment in early 1816, when he was fortunate to be transferred to the 1st Battalion. However, this was only a temporary reprieve as he was discharged to Kilmainham Hospital on 18 November 1818, on a pension of one shilling per day. The Kilmainham Admission books show that he served 3 years 308 days as a Private, 3 years 92 days as Corporal, and 3 years as Sergeant. The muster rolls show that he was appointed Quarter-Master Sergeant on 30 March 1814. The reason for discharge is stated as ‘Being supernumerary to the establishment of the regiment. Wounded in the left leg by a musquet ball at Bergen-Op-Zoom, which becomes swelled and inflamed after a march.’

His discharge papers also note that his conduct has been ‘Very good. He received a wound in left leg at Bergen-op-Zoom on the 8th March 1814, when he behaved in the most gallant manner, as well as at the Battle of Fuentes d’Onor, Capture of Badajoz, Battles of Salamanca and Villa Muriel.’

He later served in the 10th Royal Veteran Battalion, from 30 December 1818 to 24 March 1821, as a Sergeant, and again during 1825, in the 3rd Veteran Battalion, before being readmitted to an out-pension of one shilling elevenpence-halfpenny per day. Sold with copied discharge papers.