Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare pair of Spanish Carlist War medals awarded to J. Higgins, Royal Regiment of Artillery

Spain, Kingdom, Order of Maria Isabella Louisa, silver cross, reverse inscribed, ‘RRA J. Higgins’; Cross for the Liberators of Bilbao 1836, silver cross, reverse inscribed, ‘RRA J. Higgins’, this with incorrect ribbon, mounted for display, about very fine (2) £750-850

Ex D.N.W. 18 May 2011.

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 siege on 25 December 1836. As a result, General Espartero recommended the two British officers and several of the men for awards. The two officers received the Order of St. Ferdinand, the Order of Isabella the Catholic and the Cross for the Liberation of Bilbao in gold; nine other ranks, including Higgins, were awarded the Order of Maria Isabella Louisa in silver and the Cross for the Liberation of Bilbao in silver; a further eight other ranks were awarded the Cross for the Liberation of Bilbao in silver.

James Higgins, Royal Regiment of Artillery is listed as one of a number of men of the unit presented with the above medals, ref. ‘Decorations presented to a detachment of the Royal Regiment of Artillery for Raising the Siege of Bilbao, 25 December 1836’, in The Military and Naval Medal Magazine, Vol. 1, edited by Douglas Glendining. The article further states that the illustrations were taken from the decorations presented to James Higgins. In British Battles & Medals the recipient is listed as ‘J. Haggions’.