Auction Catalogue

19–21 June 2013

Starting at 10:00 AM

.

Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

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Lot

№ 609

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19 June 2013

Hammer Price:
£3,500

Pair: Private Richard Rhodes, 74th Foot, wounded at Salamanca

Military General Service 1793-1814, 7 clasps, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, Toulouse (Richd. Rhodes, 74th Foot); 74th Foot Regimental Medal, 3rd Class, engraved with five actions, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Orthez, Toulouse (R. Rhodes) fitted with silver clip and ring suspension, very fine or better, a rare pair (2) £3000-3500

Ex Whalley sale 1884, and Ernest Bell and Alex Warren collections.

One of only two 3rd Class medals known. The actions of Nivelle and Nive have not been recorded on a 74th Foot regimental medal in any class, the regiment not having been prominent at either battle.

Richard Rhodes was born in the Parish of Blackburn, Lancaster, and enlisted for the 74th Foot at Preston on 2 September 1811, aged seventeen years. He served a total of 8 years 8 days, from which 1 years was deducted ‘under-age’, and was discharged on 9 September 1819, aged 25. His conduct was described as ‘Good - was in five Engagements with the Regiment in the Peninsula and was wounded at the Battle of Salamanca’.

In November 1852, Rhodes attended the Memorial Dinner for the Duke of Wellington, held at the Shelley Arms, Preston, on the 20th of that month. Sold with copied discharge papers; copied news cutting reporting the Shelley Arms dinner with list of veterans in attendance, and other research.