The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria

77th Foot Medal 1818, gold, 31.04g including steel clip, obverse: ‘77’ with Prince of Wales’s plume above and ‘Peninsula’ on branches of laurel below; reverse: engraved ‘Seringapatam’, edge engraved in running script (Serjeant T. Marshall. 30 Years Meritorious Service.) fitted with steel clip and ring suspension, good very fine and extremely rare £2,000-£2,600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria.

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Provenance: Debenhams, May 1898; Gaskell Collection, Glendining’s, May 1911; J. B. Hayward & Son, January 1978.

Referenced in Balmer, R479a. This is the only known example of the medal in gold.

After the Peninsula War Major-General Sir Goerge Cooke, K.C.B, Colonel of the 77th Regiment, applied for permission to issue a medal to the men who had served at El Boden, Ciudad Rodrigo, and Badajoz, and a few who still remained in the Regiment who had fought at the siege of Seringapatam. The following reply was received:-

“Sir,
“I have the honour to receive and submit to the Commander-in-Chief your application from the O.C. 77th Regiment for permission to issue medals to be worn by the men of the Corps who have served at certain places mentioned, and in reply I have it in my command to signify to you, that although the Commander-in-Chief is not aware of the expedience of individual distinction of the above nature being granted, the Prince Regent having already sanctioned the honours due to the Regiment collectively, yet H.R.H. will not offer any objection to the measure recommended.
“I have his command at the same time to observe that it is presumed that the medals will only be granted to individuals having claims from merit, and particular good conduct.
“Signed Henry Calvert, A.G.
(The Die-Hards magazine, August 1925, refers, this particular medal being illustrated, together with two silver examples).

Thomas Marshall first appears on the muster rolls for December 1790-June 1791, which show that he enlisted on 1 November 1790. Some musters are marked ‘St Mary’s, Berks, Carpenter’. He was promoted to Corporal in 1802, and to Sergeant in 1803. In the period September 1808 to September 1809, he was mainly in hospital and remained in England during the time of the Walcheren ex[edition. He was with the regiment in the Peninsula and France from June 1811 to December 1814, and was presumably at El Bodon, Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz. Shown as Colour-Sergeant from March 1815, he was discharged to Kilmainham Hospital in 22 May 1820, ‘unfit for service’.

The Kilmainham Hospital Admissions Book for 31 May 1820, includes:
‘Ad. No. 761 Sgt. Thomas Marshall, from 77th Foot, as Colour-Sergeant.
77th service from 1 November 1790 to 22 May 1820.
Sergeant 16 years 150 days.
Corporal 1 year 183 days Private 11 years 236 days.
India service [to count] 8 years 57 days - Service in E. or W. Indies 16 years 115 days.
To count 37 years 261 days.
Age 47 years 6 months; Height 5’7”; Hair Grey; Eyes Grey; Complexion Dark; Trade Labourer.
Cause of Discharge - Worn out.
Rate of Pension 2/6 per diem.