Orders, Decorations and Medals

A magnificent C.B., K.H. Peninsula War group of five awarded to Colonel Sir John Morillyon Wilson, 1st Foot, Major of Chelsea Hospital, thirteen times wounded during his service in the Royal Navy, in the Peninsula and in North America
The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Military) breast badge in 22 carat gold and enamels, by John Edwards, hallmarked London 1815, complete with original swivel-ring wide suspension and gold ribbon buckle; The Royal Guelphic Order, K.H. (Military) Knight’s breast badge with swords, gold and enamels, complete with gold ribbon buckle; Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Egypt (Midshipman); Military General Service 1793-1814, 2 clasps, Busaco, Fuentes D’Onor (Sir, Capt. 1st Foot); Sultan’s Gold Medal for Egypt 1801, 3rd class gold medal, 43 mm, fitted with contemporary straight gold bar suspension and gold ribbon buckle, generally good very fine or better and an exceptional group (5)

See colour illustration on front cover.

John Morillyon Wilson served as a Midshipman in the Navy for nearly six years. He was employed on the coast of Ireland during the Rebellion in 1798; in the expedition to the Helder in 1799, and Egypt in 1801, where he received a medal from the Captain Pasha for having saved the lives of a boat’s crew belonging to a Turkish man-of-war. He received three wounds while a Midshipman; and the last was a severe wound on the head, which produced total deafness, in consequence of which he was invalided, and quitted the Navy in 1803. His health being restored, he entered the Army in 1804 and served in the 3rd Battalion Royals at Walcheren in 1809, where he was twice wounded during the siege of Flushing. He afterwards served in the Peninsula, and was in the battles of Busaco, the retreat to the lines of Torres Vedras, and at the actions of Pombal, Redinha, Condeixa, Casal Nova, Foz d’Arouce, and Sabugal, the blockade of Almeida, and battle of Fuentes D’Onor.

In 1812 he joined the 2nd Battalion Royals in Canada, and was in the attack made on Sackett’s Harbour, and Great Sodus, where he received a severe bayonet wound. He was also in the actions at Black Rock, Buffalo, and the battle of Chippewa, in which he received seven wounds, and being left on the field of battle, he fell into the hands of the enemy. During his career in the two professions he received thirteen wounds, and has two balls still lodged. The Brevet rank of Major, and that of Lieutenant Colonel was conferred on him for his conduct at Buffalo and Chippewa. He was placed on half pay in 1822, promoted Colonel in January 1837, and created a Companion of the Bath on 19 July 1838. Colonel Wilson was Gentleman Usher of the Privy Chamber for nearly twenty years to Queen Adelaide. He was appointed Adjutant of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea on 16 November 1822, and Major of the same establishment on 14 July 1855, which position he held until his death in 1868.