Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare Napoleonic Wars Guelphic Medal group of four awarded to Corporal Frederick Armstadt, 1st Hussars, King’s German Legion, for gallantry at the bridge of Gallegos in July 1810 and also at the battle of Toulouse in April 1814

Guelphic Medal for Bravery 1815 (Ferdinand Almstedt, Corporal im 1t. Hus. Rt. K.D.L. zu N’olle) a few letters of naming obscured through contact wear; Military General Service 1793-1814, 9 clasps, Talavera, Busaco, Fuentes D’Onor, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Orthes, Toulouse (Fredk. Armstadt, 1st Hussars, K.G.L.); Waterloo 1815 (Frederick A-mstadt, 1st Reg. Hussars, K.G.L.) fitted with original steel clip and ring suspension, one letter of surname obscured through contact wear; Hannoverian Medal for Volunteers of the K.G.L. 1814, unnamed as issued, edge bruising and contact marks to the earlier awards, fine or better, the M.G.S. nearly extremely fine £6000-8000

Guelphic Medal for Bravery announced in the 1819 list, for bravery at Gallegos, 4 July 1810, and Toulouse, 10 April 1814.

The citation published in Beamish’s History of the German Legion reads: ‘At the bridge of Gallegos, 4th of June 1810, when the rear-guard under captain Krauchenberg, opposed the superior numbers of enemy with such persevering bravery, corporal Almstedt particularly distinguished himself. He was always one of the foremost in repelling the attacks, and saved the life of serjeant Bergmann, who, surrounded and wounded, was rescued by his cutting down several of those who were taking the serjeant away a prisoner, and putting the rest to flight. In general, upon all occasions when volunteers were required, Almstedt was the first to offer himself.’

The citation published in German by von Wissel also adds, ‘This exceptionally brave soldier was always first to step out when volunteers were needed and he also distinguished himself at the battle of Toulouse 1814’.

Ferdinand/Frederick Almstedt/Armstadt joined the 1st Dragoons (Hussars from 1814) K.G.L., a recruit from England, on 28 February 1807. He fought with his regiment in Portugal, Spain and France from June 1809 until the end of the war in 1814, and the campaign of 1815 in France and Flanders, including the battle of Waterloo. He returned to Hannover shortly afterwards and was discharged there on 24 February 1816, when the regiment was disbanded. Sold with full research including extracts from medal roll and muster and pay lists.