Orders, Decorations and Medals

Military General Service 1793-1814, 3 clasps, Salamanca, Vittoria, St. Sebastian (C. Steel, 3rd Foot Guards) extremely fine £1200-1400

At St. Sebastian the storming party consisted of volunteers from several regiments including the Scots Guards, and a study of the original manuscript roll indicates that in this regiment at least, successful claimants for the clasp were restricted to proven stormers only. Steel also served in the Waterloo Campaign, in Lieutenant-Colonel Master’s Light Company, commanded by Captain George Evelyn, personnel from which included the heroes Sergeants Brice McGregor and Joseph Aston, also the memoirist, Private Matthew Clay. The Company was involved in fierce fighting at the defence of Hougoumont and were chiefly responsible for the closing of the gates, cited by the Duke of Wellington as the key to victory.