Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Military General Service 1793-1814, 5 clasps, Roleia, Vimiera, Corunna, Salamanca, Pyrenees (John Watson, 32nd Foot) edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise better than good fine £1000-1200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals formed by the late John Darwent.

View
Collection

Ex Pell collection 1912, Muirhead collection 1950, and Phillips collection 1965.

John Watson was born at Berwick, circa 1779, and enlisted into the 32nd Foot on 11 August 1802, a volunteer from the Northumberland Fencibles. He served in Ireland and then in the campaign under Sir John Moore, including the retreat to Corunna. He took part in the expedition to the Walcheren later in 1809 but became sick and was invalided home. After service at Selsea and Guernsey, he returned to the Peninsula for further service in Spain and was severely wounded in the Pyrenees, having his right arm amputated below the elbow. He was invalided home and consequently discharged, being admitted to Chelsea Hospital as an out-pensioner on 20 October 1814, then aged 35 years. John Watson drew his pension at Edinburgh and died there on 19 August 1852, aged about 73 years. Sold with full muster details and copy pension papers