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Auction: 20002 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Space Exploration
Lot: 267

Military General Service 1793-1814, 1 clasp, Barrosa (W. Till, Serjt. R. Arty.), very fine

Provenance:
Glendinings,1909 & 1952.

William Till was born on 25 May 1779 at Maddershall, Stafford. A potter by trade he enlisted in the 82nd Foot on 9 October 1794. Whilst serving in Gibraltar they exchanged with the 35th Regiment who were in the West Indies, Till remained in Gibraltar and exchanged to the 35th Foot. Sickness raged in the Regiment and Till was discharged to England on 21 June 1796.

Having become married he re-enlisted as a Gunner in the 2nd Battalion, Royal Artillery on 4 June 1798. Rising to Corporal he was transferred to the 8th Battalion on 1 September 1803. Promoted Serjeant and transferred to the 9th Battalion on 1 May 1806, in July 1810 Captain Hughes' Company would be stationed in Cadiz, including Till. A force was raised in late February 1811 to relieve the siege on Cadiz, by landing a force at Tarifa and marching on Chiclana to attack the French Garrison, This included an Artillery detachment led by Major Duncan comprising 228 men and officers together with a detachment at Tarifa of 67 men, with a total of ten guns and approximately 250 artillery drivers.

They arrived on the field after a long overnight march on poor roads to be directed almost immediately to head north towards Bermeja. Having entered the woods, they were told to counter-march as the French were attacking the now abandoned hill. The Artillery charged through the woods ripping up trees on their passage and emerged first to face an advancing French army. Duncan quickly placed his guns in line and opened a brutal onslaught of shell and shrapnel on the advancing columns, decimating whole ranks. The Artillery quickly became the target for the French gunners and an intense duel took place. They were supported by the 2nd Battalion, 47th Foot as guards, who also acted as Gunners when men were wounded. Following the victory, the ammunition wagons were used to ferry the casualties from the field of battle. In October 1811 the Brigade was sent to Tarifa, for the defence of the fort against French attack. Till was discharged on 19 June 1816 and died on 7 November 1849; sold together with copied discharge paper.



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Sold for
£1,100

Starting price
£480