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Auction: 18003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 15

Military General Service 1794-1814, 5 clasps, Barrosa, Vittoria, St. Sebastian, Nivelle, Nive (G. Holderness, Serjt. 47th Foot.), minor edge bruise, good very fine

Provenance:
Glendining's, March 1925 & October 1952.
Spink, February 1975.

George Holderness served with the 2nd Battalion, 47th (Lancashire) Regiment of Foot, based in Andalucia in 1809. He was a member of the two flank companies which distinguished themselves at Barrosa on 5 March 1811, when almost a third became casualties. By the close of the year the whole Battalion were in garrison at Tarifa, coming under seige from some 2,000 French troops. Together with the 87th Foot (Royal Irish Fusiliers), the defenders held on staunchly, manning the walls and plugging a breach which had opened up. The siege was broken on New Year's Eve 1811, when a terrific fusillade threw the French back. 'Tarifa' was added to the Regimental Battle Honours and it is no surprise that the men celebrated the victory with a Sergeants' Mess Ball each year on the anniversary.

Having formed part of the Cadiz garrison, the 2nd Battalion moved to join the British forces, sharing in the rearguard at Puente Largo on 30 October 1812. Moving into 1813, the 47th Foot next took part in the decisive Battle of Vittoria on 21 June, storming the village and bridge of Gamarra Mayor. It was said that:

'Regardless of a heavy and destructive fire of artillery and musketry, [they] pursued its steady, orderly, and not to be obstructed course without returning a shot, and at the point of the bayonet forced back the enemy, who retired in confusion with the loss of three pieces of cannon.’

Holderness was amongst 100 men of the Regiment wounded on that day. Recovered from his wounds, he would indeed be lucky to escape from the siege of St. Sebastian without further injury. In combination with the 4th (King's Own) and 59th (Nottinghamshire) Foot, the Regiment scaled the walls and assaulted the breaches. At one point the men were ordered to lie on the ground to allow artillery fire upon the ramparts just above their heads. It was the bloodiest engagement in the history of the Regiment and at the point of victory command had falled to a wounded subaltern. 17 out of 22 officers and half of the other ranks present became casualties. Holderness would be granted a Pension.

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Sold for
£1,300