Auction Catalogue

12 May 2015

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations and Medals

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Lot

№ 364

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12 May 2015

Hammer Price:
£3,200

The 88th Foot Order of Merit awarded to Private Thomas McKenna, ‘a brave and very good soldier’ who distinguished himself at Vittoria by the capture of a Gun and formed one of the storming party at the taking of Fort Picurina at Badajoz; he was severely wounded in the neck at Ciudad Rodrigo, in the legs at Badajoz, in the head at Salamanca, and in the hand at Vittoria

88th Foot Order of Merit 1818, 2nd class medal, 38mm diameter, the reverse inscribed with 10 battle honours for Orthes, Badajoz, Vittoria, Salamanca, Fuentes D’Onor, Ciudad Rodrigo, Pyrenees, Toulouse Nivelle, Nive, the edge named ‘Thomas McKenna’ either side of suspension clasp, this re-fixed, with silver bar suspension inscribed ‘Peninsula’, nearly very fine £2400-2800

Ex Jourdain and McPeake Collections.

Thomas McKenna/McKanna was born in the Parish of Louth, County Louth, and enlisted into the 88th Foot at Drogheda on 24 June 1808, aged 15 years. He was discharged on 13 November 1832, having served 21 years 105 days plus three years underage, the Regimental Board being of the opinion ‘that his conduct has been that of a brave, good and efficient soldier, seldom in Hospital except when suffering from wounds.’

He served ‘With the Army in the Peninsula from June 1809 until the end of the War and was present at the Battles and Sieges of Fuentes D’Onor, Ciudad Rodrigo, 1st and 2nd Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, and Toulouse; served in North America from 1814 until 1815; also with the Army of Occupation in France from August 1815 until March 1817 and subsequently with the Regiment and Reserve Companies at home. Distinguished himself at the Battle of Vittoria by the Capture of a Gun and formed one of the storming party at the taking of Fort Picurina, at Badajoz. Was severely wounded in the Neck at Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo, in the Legs at Badajoz, in the Head at Salamanca, and in the Hand at Vittoria.’

Sadly, this brave old soldier did not live long enough to claim the M.G.S. medal for his service in the Peninsula. Sold with copied discharge paper.