Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Military General Service 1793-1814, 2 clasps, Martinique, Guadaloupe (Richard Dowsett, 63rd Foot.) some marks to Queen’s cheek, otherwise good very fine and scarce £1,800-£2,200

Provenance: Debenham’s, February 1900; J. B. Hayward, August 1973.

Two officers and 24 other ranks from the 63rd Foot received the medal with these two clasps.

Richard Dowsett was born in the Parish of Becking, near Braintree, Essex, and enlisted there for the 63rd Foot on 15 December 1806, aged 19, for unlimited service. He served in the West Indies from 4 February 1808 to 2 July 1819, during which period he was present at the captures of the islands of Martinique and Guadalaoupe, serving in Lieutenant Bayley’s Troop or Company. He was discharged to Kilmainham Hospital pension at Enniskillen on 15 August 1822, in consequence of chronic rheumatism. The surgeon of the 63rd reported, ‘In consequence of cold caught on duty at Plymouth in 1819 shortly after his return from the West Indies, has ever since been more or less affected with chronic rheumatism. The pains have increased so much during the last three months as to render him unfit for the duties of the soldier. Has likewise weak eyes from repeated attacks of opthalmia.’ Sold with copied discharge papers and medal roll entry.