Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The 88th Foot Order of Merit awarded to Private Francis Connolly who was severely wounded in the left thigh at Salamanca, in the left leg at Busaco, in the head at Ciudad Rodrigo, and in both hands when quelling a riot at Montmartre in France in 1815

88th Foot Order of Merit 1818, 1st Class Cross for 12 General Actions, 44mm, the reverse inscribed ‘Francis Connolly’, fitted with straight bar suspension inscribed ‘Peninsula’, good very fine £2,400-£2,800

Provenance: O. D. Cresswell Collection.

Approximately 75 1st Class Orders of Merit awarded to soldiers of the 88th Foot.

Francis Connolly was born in the Parish of Crossboyne, near Hollymount, County Mayo, and enlisted into the 88th Foot at Hastings, Sussex, on 5 February 1806, aged 21 years, for ‘Life’. He served a total of 15 years 289 days and was discharged on 20 November 1821, in ‘consequence of a reduction in the establishment of the Regt. Is worn out from length of service; has a severe wound of the left thigh received at Salamanca; wound of left leg at Busaco; two wounds of the head at Ciudad Rodrigo; wounds of both hands received in quelling a riot at Montmartre in France in 1815 when on duty.’ He was admitted to an Out-Pension at Chelsea Hospital on the day following his discharge and died on 3 November 1838.

The 88th Foot suffered heavy casualties in the Peninsula, especially at Talavera (110), Busaco (132), Fuentes D’Onor (68), Ciudad Rodrigo (63), Badajoz (250), Salamanca (127), Vittoria (295), Orthes (265) and Toulouse (85). Sold with copied discharge papers and entry from Chelsea Hospital admission book.