Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A First Carlist War group of three awarded to Surgeon C. B. Brearey, M.D., British Auxiliary Legion

Spain, Kingdom, San Sebastian Cross 1836, 27 x 27mm., silver, obverse arms inscribed, ‘Staff Surgeon C. B. Brearey’, incorrect ribbon; Cross for the Liberators of Bilboa 1836, 33 x 23mm., gold and enamel, incorrect ribbon; Irun Medal 1837, oval, 29 x 24mm., gold and enamel, reverse additionally inscribed, ‘Staff Surgen (sic) B.A. Lg. Spain C. B. Brearey, M.D., M.R.C.S,’, correct ribbon, good very fine and better (3) £1600-2000

Ex A. A. Payne Collection.

During the 1st Carlist War (1833-39), a force of British volunteers - the ‘British Auxiliary Legion’ was permitted by the British Government to lend support to the liberal Royalist forces of Queen Isabella of Spain - the Legion being under the command of General Sir Lacy Evans. In November 1836 a detachment of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, consisting of three officers and 36 other ranks was also sent to assist. Soon after their arrival, Captain Colquhon and Lieutenant Basset with some of the contingent were sent to Portugalete in the neighbourhood of Bilbao, to assist in the relief of that besieged city. After several ineffectual attempts, the forces of General Espartero successfully raised the (third) siege on 25 December 1836.

Charles Benson Brearey trained at Guy’s and Grainger’s, Webb Street and qualified as a L.S.A. in 1830 and a M.R.C.S. in 1860. Served as an Assistant Surgeon with the liberal Royalist forces of Queen Isabella of Spain. Serving with the (Spanish) 5th Regiment in August 1835; transferring to the 4th Regiment in June 1837. For his services he was awarded three decorations. In 1855 he was appointed by the British Government to the Crimea. Variously served as Surgeon at Christ Church Dispensary and Lying-in Charity, St. Pancras, Middlesex. Latterly lived in Titchfield, Fareham, Hampshire and 5 Alma Terrace, Scarborough, North Yorkshire. Was the author of ‘A Treatise on Stomach, Nervous, Bilious and other Afflictions.’

With copied extracts from Payne, in which his first and last medals are illustrated; also with a copied list of medical staff, which includes Brearey, taken from History of the British Legion and War in Spain, by Alexander Somerville.