Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Military General Service 1793-1814, 2 clasps, Roleia, Albuhera (W. Leslie, Serjeant, 29th Foot) stained beneath old lacquer, minor edge bruising, otherwise good very fine £1200-1400

Not recorded on published rolls by Foster or Mullen

William Leslie was born in the Parish of Old Town, Aberdeen, and enlisted into the 29th Regiment on 2 January 1798, at the age of about 18, a weaver by trade. Sergeant Leslie was discharged on 16 June 1812, in consequence of a gunshot wound of the right arm received at the battle of Albuhera, and ordered to proceed to York Hospital at Chelsea for his case [for pension] to be finally determined. He had served a total of 14 years 166 days, including 4 years 139 days as Corporal and 4 years 68 days as Sergeant. The 29th Foot formed part of Hoghton’s brigade at Albuhera, along with the 48th and 57th, and suffered the highest casualties of any regiment present, losing nearly three-quarters of its strength in killed or wounded and was so reduced in numbers that it returned to England to recruit and did not fight again during the war. Sold with copy discharge papers.