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Auction: 17003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 425

(x) Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant

'An old Waterloo and Peninsular veteran, he was formerly a Sergeant in the 14th Light Dragoons, had recieved a bullet in the right arm in one of the Peninsular battles, which, having never been extracted, caused him considerable pain and rendered him nervous and fretful'.

The Longford Journal, 6 December 1862, refers.

Military General Service 1793-1814, 2 clasps, Albuhera, Vittoria (W. Lenthall, Serjt. 13th Lt. Dragns.), contact marks and suspension a little slack, very fine, housed in a Spink & Son fitted leather case

90 'Albuhera' and 92 'Vittoria' clasps issued to the 13th Light Dragoons.

William Lenthall was born in 1785 at Brampton, Chesterfield and a farmer by trade. He served with the 13th Light Dragoons in the Peninsular, including at Albuhera, 16 May 1811, when the Regiment successfully sabred many drivers, and captured both guns and baggage. He was also present at Waterloo, 18 June 1815 during which his regiment charged numerous times and routed a square of French infantry. Their final charge upon the French Imperial Guard was ordered by Lord Hill, who cried out:

'Drive them back, 13th!'

During the battle Lenthall suffered a gunshot wound to the arm, which left him 'nervous and fretful' after his discharge, he tragically took his own life at Chesterfield in December 1862 (Reading Mercury and Longford Journal, 6 December 1862, refers); sold with an old note regarding the recipient and copied research.

His Waterloo Medal is recorded as having been sold at Christie's in July 1983.

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Sold for
£1,500