Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Military General Service Medal awarded to Lieutenant E. Finch, 8th Foot, who states he was wounded ‘in America with the 8th Foot in action’ and was twice employed in carrying despatches

Military General Service 1793-1814, 1 clasp, Martinique (Edward Finch, Lieut. 8th Foot.) the ribbon fitted with five contemporary but unofficial silver slide clasps for York, Fort George, Sacket Harbour, Stn. Creek, Niagara, and a silver pin brooch in the form of an arrow believed to denote ‘despatch carrier’, nearly extremely fine £8000-12000

Provenance: Recorded by Baldwin circa 1970; Dix Noonan Webb, December 2013 (£11,000).

One of only 3 officers of the 8th Foot who served in North America and claimed the Military General Service Medal.

Edward Finch was appointed an Ensign in the 8th Foot on 18 June 1807, at the age of 16 years, and was promoted to Lieutenant on 28 June 1809. He served with the 8th Foot at the ‘capture of Martinique in 1809. Subsequently in the American war and was present at York, Sackett’s Harbour, Stoney Creek, and Fort George’ (Hart’s Army List refers). After the surprise of the American camp at Stoney Creek, 5 June 1813, Finch was twice employed in carrying despatches:

‘Early in June, the five companies of the regiment which had been engaged at Sackett’s Harbour, embarked from Kingston, with some artillery, on board the squadron, under Commodore James Yeo, to reinforce the British troops at Fort George. Major Evans, though still suffering from his wounds, was carried on board and placed in command.

News of the evacuation of Fort George having been obtained, Sir James Yeo received directions to land the men as near York town as possible; but the fleet being detained by contrary winds, Major Evans and Lieutenant Finch travelled by land to York [present day Toronto], which the Americans had evacuated, and hearing of the gallant affair at Stoney Creek, Major Evans returned to the fleet, and induced Sir James Yeo to attack the American camp at Forty-mile Creek; at the same time Lieutenant Finch proceeded by land to apprise Brigadier-General Vincent of the approach of the shipping and troops. A combined movement was arranged, in which the light company of the King’s was employed; and the Americans, being thus menaced by water and land, fled from their post with precipitation; the British pressed upon them, captured several boats, and obtained possession of a great part of the camp equipage and baggage of the American army.’ (Regimental history refers).

Finch states that he was wounded ‘in America with the 8th Foot in action’ (statement of service refers) but further details are not known. The 8th Foot was subsequently granted the battle honour ‘Niagara’. Finch exchanged into the 1st Life Guards on 28 June 1815, and retired on half-pay in the 13th Light Dragoons in September 1817.

Sold with copied Statement of Service (1829).