Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Military General Service 1793-1814, 4 clasps, Talavera, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca (John Webber, Serjt., 40th Foot), original riband with cloth “button-hook” for wearing, one or two edge bruises, otherwise good very fine £1200-1400

John Webber, who was born at Dulverton, Somerset, enlisted in the 40th Foot direct from the Militia in August 1799 and served in the 2nd Battalion in Malta and Minorca before exchanging into the 1st Battalion in August 1802. Advanced to Corporal in December 1804, he served in South America 1806-07, when he was present in the attack on Monte Video, when the 40th suffered 103 casualties. Having gained further promotion to Sergeant in the latter year, Webber was embarked for Portugal in September 1808 and subsequently won entitlement to the above described Medal and clasps, and was wounded in the left arm at Salamanca, probably as a result of which he was discharged in April 1813. But he appears to have lived to a good age, General Register Office records revealing that a John Webber of Dulverton died in June 1880, aged 92 years.

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