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Auction: 23003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 3

(x) Military General Service 1793-1814, 1 clasp, Vittoria (W. Mountain, R. H. Arty), edge bruising, very fine

Provenance:
Glendinnings 1987.

One of 19 members of the Royal Horse Artillery to claim the Medal with a single clasp for the Battle of Vitoria.

William Mountain was born at Norwich, Norfolk in 1787 and enlisted with Royal Horse Artillery on 1 February 1804, being posted to Major Robert Bull's Troop. He was to serve with them in Spain during the Peninsular War in 1813, participating in the Battle of Vitoria where the artillery saw particularly heavy action. This major engagement ended in a catastrophic defeat for the French: by the end of the day they had lost over 8,000 men killed and wounded, had 151 artillery pieces captured, and 415 waggons containing (amongst a great many other things) the ceremonial baton of Marshal Jourdan and the carriage of 'King' Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon's brother. Upon being presented with Jourdan's baton the Prince Regent responded in kind to Wellington, writing on 5 July 1813: 'You have sent me among the Trophies of your unrivalled Fame, the Baton of a French Marshal and I send you in return that of England. The British Army will hail it with enthusiasm while the whole Universe will acknowledge those valorous Exploits, which have so imperiously called for it...'

Mountain did not see further action and was discharged when the army was reduced on 10 October 1814, having served for ten years; sold together with copied research including medal rolls and the register of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£700

Starting price
£480