Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 22002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 2

Military General Service 1793-1814, 3 clasps, Talavera, Busaco, Albuhera (W. W. Batchelor, 3rd Foot), very fine

Provenance:
Sotheby's, 1886.
Ex-Whittaker Collection, 1890.
Spink, 1975.

William Weymouth Batchelor was born in 1782 at Bath and was baptised on 24 February that year. Joining the 3rd Foot in 1804, he served in the Peninsula from June 1808, sharing in the famous actions at Talavera, Busaco and being taken Prisoner of War at Albuhera. In that first action the unit took some 142 casualties whilst on the Cerro de Medellin and suffered the loss of their CO, Lieutenant-Colonel Muter being killed that day. At Busaco they were on the southern end of the line and suffered no casualties but at Albuhera on 16 May 1811 it was nothing short of catastrophic.

Starting the day numbering a little over 750, the following morning just 112 survivors remained. Having been caught by a charging squadron of Polish Lancers, they were cut to pieces. Batchelore was lucky to come away with his life but was taken a Prisoner of War. By December 1812 he found himself held in the Alpine fortress of Briancon (TNA ADM 103/467, refers). Having been fortunate again to survive such a period 'in the bag', he made it home in late 1814, being discharged on 3 November.

Like so many of the time, Batchelore fell into poverty and became an 'errant man' - forced to take up lodgings with his sister's family for the taking of a Census.

What remains certain is that he lived to claim his M.G.S. medal and was also in receipt of the 3rd Foot Reward of Merit, for the three actions in which he served and which is dedicated to him - an award which is known to be extant in the collection of the National Army Museum.

This M.G.S. medal is the subject of an article in the O.M.R.S. Journal of June 2014; sold together with copied research.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£3,000

Starting price
£1000