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Auction: 23003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 10

A fine Military General Service medal awarded to Lieutenant G. Hill, 88th Regiment of Foot (Connaught Rangers), who served with this famous unit during some of their hardest-fought actions and whose medal represents a unique entitlement to an officer of the Regiment

Military General Service 1793-1814, 4 clasps, Fuentes d'Onor, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca (George Hill, Subn. 88th Foot.), minor scratches to obverse and reverse fields, one edge knock after rank, otherwise very fine

Only two medals to the 88th Foot with this number and combination of clasps, with this being the sole example to an officer of the regiment.

The 'Devil's Own' saw extensive and hard fighting throughout their service in Portugal and Spain, earning themselves a reputation as one of the toughest infantry regiments in Wellington's army. At Fuentes de Onoro (May 1811) they fought hand-to-hand, using bayonet and musket butt, through the streets of the village itself with their French assailants; at Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz (January and April 1812 respectively) they formed part of the storming columns launched against the walls of those impressive border fortresses and took serious casualties as a result. At Salamanca (July 1812) the 88th advanced as the centre unit of their Brigade and had the unique distinction of capturing an exotic percussion instrument from the Band of a defeated regiment of French infantry: properly known as a 'Turkish Crescent', it was popularly referred to as a 'Jingling Johnny' and thenceforth carried by the Regimental Band of the Connaught Rangers until their disbandment in 1922.

As for George Hill, in addition to sharing in those famous but bloody battles he is mentioned by name in the renowned Peninsular War memoir: 'Adventures with the Connaught Rangers 1809-1814', written by William Grattan who, like Hill, was a junior officer in the regiment during those years. Towards the end of the book Grattan offers a charming insight into Hill's character, just before a group of junior officers sailed home from Lisbon, and their attempts to live comfortably a few days more on their meagre salaries: 'A sort of council of war was now held as to the line of operations we should follow, and it was unanimously agreed that D‘Arcy, being a good judge of the game, should be the purse-bearer, and play according to his own judgment to any amount he might think proper, for the profit or loss of the entire party. Matters were so far arranged, and we were ready and panting with anxiety to have another trial with the bankers of the San Carlos tables, when Hill, a young man of sound sense, hinted that, to prevent any mistake, and not to leave all on the “hazard of the die,” we should deposit a certain number of dollars each for the purchase of our sea-stock. This hint was so replete with rationality that we all acquiesced, and fifteen dollars “par tête” was regularly pouched by Hill, who was understood to be our caterer. He laid in a capital stock of wine, brandy, fowls, and meat—and, so far, all went on right. The wine and brandy he purchased from the far-famed Signor Cavizoli; but, if he paid high for them, they were of excellent quality.'

Sold together with a silver (unmarked) centre from an officer's shako or crossbelt plate badge, circa 1830 and bearing the 88th's Napoleonic battle honours, converted to wear as a badge with a pin-and-catch upon the reverse. For further detail relating to the service of the Connaught Rangers during the Peninsular War, and the medals of another officer of the regiment during many of the same engagements as Hill, please see Lot 64

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Sold for
£4,200

Starting price
£2400