Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An M.G.S. awarded to Henry Douglas Donevan, who as a Volunteer A.D.C. to General Anson, was promoted Ensign in the 48th Regiment for his conduct at the battle of the Pyrenees

Military General Service 1793-1814, 4 clasps, Pyrenees, St. Sebastian, Nivelle, Orthes (H. D. Donevan, Ensn., 48th Foot) nearly extremely fine £1800-2200

Ex Dixon August 2002.

Henry Douglas Donevan was appointed an Ensign in the Tower Hamlets Militia in 1811, aged 19 years. After some disagreement at home, he obtained leave of absence in early 1813 and left for Lisbon with his brother, Captain Charles Donevan, 27th Regiment, who was at the time attached to the Spanish Army. (Later killed in action at Bayonne). Originally employed in training Spanish troops, he was soon attached to the 48th Regiment and served as A.D.C. to General Anson during the battle of the Pyrenees. At the battle Donevan tells of his Colonel being ‘shot through the body by my side’ and that he ‘recommended me personally to Lord Wellington’, and that ‘Capt. Fitzclarence, his Lordship’s ADC congratulated me the next day on my good conduct I was promoted to an Ensigncy that Gazette and continued with (48th) Regt in the subsequent actions.’

Gazetted on 25 August 1813, Ensign Donevan took part in the attack on St. Sebastian (just 17 clasps to the regiment) and at the battles of Nivelle and Orthes. Staying with the 48th Regiment until well into 1816, he is later shown in the Army List as a Lieutenant of the 9th Regiment, on Half Pay from February 1817. After marrying, Donevan had two daughters and three sons. Two of the sons went to America in the 1850’s, and one became a Colonel in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Lieutenant Donevan died in Cardiff on 22 May 1863, aged 69 years.

With copied service papers, notice of death, death certificate and other research.