Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Private Cornelius Donovan, 69th Regiment

Canada General Service 1866-70, 1 clasp, Fenian Raid 1870 (3835 P’te C. Donavan. 69/S. Lin: R.) officially engraved naming; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., small letter reverse (3835. Pte. C Donovan 69th Foot) good very fine (2) £460-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to Welsh Regiments formed by the Late Llewellyn Lord.

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Cornelius Donovan was born in the Parish of Clonakilty, County Cork, and attested for the 69th Regiment at Blandon, County Cork, on 24 November 1854, aged 18 years. He served overseas in the East Indies, 6 years 5 months, in Canada, 3 years 3 months, in Bermuda 2 years 5 months, and at Gibraltar, 3 years 1 month. He was awarded the medal for long service and good conduct with a gratuity of £5 on 29 March 1873, and was discharged on 4 July 1876. Sold with copied discharge papers and medal roll entry which confirms his presence in action at Trout River on 27 May 1870.

‘The final skirmish of 1870 occurred at Trout River on the 27th of May, which is located about 10 miles west of Eccles Hill. A Canadian Force 250 strong, consisting of the 50th Batt. (Huntingdon Borderers), Monteral Garrison Artillery, Montreal Field Artillery and Montreal Engineers, along with a detachment of British 69th Regiment, met the Fenians early in the morning. Once again, after an advance of great steadiness by the Canadians and the British, the Fenians broke and fled across the border. Three Fenians were killed, several wounded and one man was captured.’