Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Military General Service 1793-1814, 1 clasp, Egypt (W. McCreary, Ancient Irish Fencibles) edge bruise, otherwise nearly extremely fine and very rare £3000-3600

Provenance: Hamilton-Smith Collection, Glendining’s, July 1927; Dalrymple White Collection, Glendining’s, July 1946.

The rolls confirm only Ensign G. T. Burke and Private Walter McCreary as recipients of the M.G.S. to the Ancient Irish Fencibles. Only this medal known to survive.

Walter McCreary served in Captain Loydes company of the Ancient Irish Fencibles in Egypt. He was born in the Parish of Donegal, County Antrim, and was a shoemaker by trade before he enlisted. He was discharged on 24 June 1802, aged 20 years, having served 2 years 6 months, and ‘having been Invalided in the Island of Malta by a Medical and Military board, in consequence of his sight having been impaired in Egypt - and be commended as a proper object for His Majesty’s Royal Bounty of Chelsea.’ Sold with copied discharge papers.