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Auction: 14003 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 322

Military General Service 1793-1814, eleven clasps, Vimiera, Talavera, Busaco, Ciudad Rodrigo, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, Toulouse (Wm. Malkin, Corpl. 45th. Foot.), minor crimping to right hand side of first clasp, edge bruise, otherwise very fine

Corporal William Malkin, born 1780; enlisted in the 2nd Battalion, 45th Foot, September 1807, having previously served in the Staffordshire Militia; transferred to the 1st Battalion, June 1808; served with the Regiment in the Peninsular from September 1808, and present at nearly all the great battles of the Peninsular War, including the Siege of Badajoz, March to April 1812, where he was 'severely wounded in both legs by musket shot'; discharged, November 1814, after 7 years and 2 months with the Colours; died at Leek, Staffordshire, April 1863.

Malkin also claimed the clasp for Badajoz but this was disallowed, although he was severely wounded during the operations- it would appear that the clasp was only sanctioned for those who took part in the actual storming of the town on the 6th April 1812, and not in the prior siege operations. It is probable that Malkin received his wounds at the capture of the Picurina Fort on the 25th March, when in was stormed by 500 men of the 3rd Division (in which the 45th Foot was serving), with casualties of over 50%.

Provenance: Glendining, November 1939
Sotheby, June 1983

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Sold for
£4,200