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Auction: 20003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 319

Pair: Sergeant T. Bacon, Royal Horse Artillery

Military General Service 1799-1814, 7 clasps, Busaco, Fuentes D'Onor, Cuidad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, St Sebastian (T. Bacon, Serjt. Royal H. Arty.); Waterloo 1815 (Corporal Thomas Bacon. Royal Horse Artillery.), fitted with silver double loop and straight bar suspension, very fine (2)

Thomas Bacon was born at Hadleigh, Suffolk and enlisted in the Royal Horse Artillery at Colchester on 24 October 1803. Having served in the Peninsula, he would have shared in 'I' Troops glorious action at Fuentes D'Onoro in May 1811, when they were under temporary command of Lieutenant Norman Ramsay. Whilst covering the partial withdrawal of a force of British infantry, they were suddenly and unexpectedly attacked by French cavalry and assumed lost. To the great astonishment of those who witnessed it a few seconds later, with the guns limbered up and swords drawn, they charged through the surprised enemy horsemen thereby saving themselves and achieving a feat of daring and dash subsequently immortalised in painting and print. At Waterloo, Bacon was again with 'I' (Bull's) Troop who were, unusually, armed solely with six 5.5in. howitzers. On that day they played a major part in the defence of Hougoumont, firing perfectly-timed shrapnel shells over the chateau which burst upon the advancing French to devastating effect - a textbook example of indirect fire which drew praise from not only Colonel Sir Augustus Frazer (commander of the Royal Horse Artillery) but the Duke of Wellington himself.

Bacon was discharged 'worn out' on 31 October 1822. In later life he is recorded as a Chelsea Pensioner living with his daughter and her family at 4 Barclay Street, Ipswich; sold with copied service record.

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Sold for
£4,200

Starting price
£1300