Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Military General Service 1793-1814, 3 clasps, Talavera, Busaco, Salamanca (J. Nicholson, Capt. 53rd Foot) small edge bruise, otherwise good very fine £2,000-£2,400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals formed by the Reverend Canon Nigel Nicholson, OStJ, DL.

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Joseph Nicholson was born in Sunderland, County Durham, on 8 November 1783, and was aged twenty-four on his first entrance into the Army as an Ensign in the 53rd Foot, 11 August 1808, becoming a Lieutenant on 9 August 1810. He served with the 53rd in the Peninsula from April 1809 to April 1814, and was present at the crossing of the Douro, the battles of ‘Talavera de la Reyna, 27th and 28th July 1809, Busaco, 27th Septr. 1810, Salamanca, 22nd July 1812.’ He was ‘severely wounded when Commanding a Company in the Battle of Salamanca. Grant of a years Pay as Captain.’ He was appointed Staff Adjutant at Albany Barracks, Isle of Wight, 22 June 1815, and promoted to Captain on 15 March 1821. Placed on half-pay on 25 November 1825, on reduction of the establishment, he was appointed Paymaster in the 84th Foot on 7 September 1826, and served with the regiment in Jamaica, March 1827 to December 1829. He was appointed Paymaster to the 75th Foot on 28 April 1846, and retired on half-pay on 13 August 1847.