Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The 88th Foot Order of Merit for 10 actions awarded to Private Robert McGrath, who was slightly wounded in the left arm at Vittoria

88th Foot Order of Merit 1818, 2nd class medal, 38mm, silver, the obverse featuring Hibernia seated with harp, holding forth a wreath of laurel, the reverse with 88th above and inscribed with 10 battle honours for Orthes, Badajoz, Vittoria, Salamanca, Fuentes D’Onor, Ciudad Rodrigo, Pyrenees, Toulouse Nivelle, Nive, the edge named ‘Robert McGrath’ either side of suspension clasp, this re-fixed, with silver bar suspension inscribed ‘Peninsula’, minor test cut to edge, nearly very fine £1,200-£1,600

Robert McGrath was born in Ballymote, co. Sligo, on 16 December 1791, and attested of the 88th Foot at Sligo town on his 17th Birthday. Posted to No. 8 Company, 1st Battalion, he joined the Regiment in the Peninsula, where it was part of General Picton’s 3rd Division, and served with them throughout the Peninsula campaign. He was slightly wounded in the left arm at the Battle of Vittoria, 21 June 1813, when the 88th Foot were involved in some of the heaviest fighting, taking part in a series of bayonet charges, and suffering 210 casualties as a result.

McGrath was still with the 88th Foot when it was sent to Canada in June 1814. Recalled to Europe after Napoleon escaped from Elba, they arrived back too late for the Waterloo campaign, but subsequently formed part of the army of occupation, before finally returning to Ireland. He was discharged on 24 November 1818 on the reduction of the strength of the Regiment, with his conduct listed as ‘good’.

In 1833 McGrath is noted as being employed as a Weaver; there is no further trace of him and no claim was made for the Military General Service Medal.

Sold with copied statement of service and muster details.