Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Military General Service 1793-1814, 10 clasps, Roleia, Vimiera, Talavera, Busaco, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle (William Sweet, 40th. Foot) minor edge bruise, very fine £3,200-£3,600

William Sweet was born in the Parish of St James’s, Bristol, and enlisted into the 40th Foot at Fareham, Hampshire, on 25 July 1799, aged 20 for ‘unlimited service’. He went on to serve for 19 years 179 days, gaining a further 2 years for Waterloo, and was discharged at Glasgow due to age and the reduction of the regiment on 7 November 1818. His conduct as a soldier was described as ‘very good and clean’ and that ‘he served in Holland [Walcheren expedition], South America [Monte Video], Peninsula, North America and at Waterloo and was wounded in the Head at Vimiera.’ He served in Captain R. Phillips’ Company at Waterloo. His trade was given at discharge as that of a fellmonger, and he is shown in the 1851 census as living at Bath, a Chelsea Pensioner, aged 71, with his wife Harriot, aged 55.

Sold with copied discharge papers and other research.