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Auction: 23003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 11

(x) A fine Military General Service Medal awarded to Driver R. Hall, Royal Horse Artillery, whose Medal and combination of clasps represent a unique entitlement to that Corps

Military General Service 1793-1814, 5 clasps, Talavera, Albuhera, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria (Richd. Hall, Royal H. Arty.), a few minor edge knocks, otherwise good very fine

Provenance:
Glendining's May 1926 and September 1961.

Richard Hall, of Aylesbeare in east Devon, is confirmed upon the Roll with entitlement to this number and combination of clasps - a unique distinction to the Royal Horse Artillery for the Napoleonic Wars. Attesting for the Royal Regiment of Artillery on 1 October 1804, at the age of 18 and for Unlimited Service, his career spanned no less than 22 years and saw him on active service in the Peninsular campaign from the Battle of Talavera in 1809 through to Vitoria in 1813. Variously noted in his records as either a Private or Driver in both the Royal - and Royal Horse - Artillery, for the majority of his career he appears to have been a member of Major James Hawker's Brigade of Royal Artillery which consisted of a battery of four 9-pounder field guns; this was a fairly heavy armament for the time, when many batteries consisted of lighter 6-pounder pieces.

At the bloody, and at times desperate, Battle of Albuhera (16 May 1811) Hawker's battery was one of only two British artillery units present and they acquitted themselves well, with the Regimental History noting: ...'the cannonade on both sides was tremendous during the whole battle, and that probably on few such occasions had there been more casualties from artillery fire...Captain Hawker’s brigade, from Major Dickson’s personal observation, did great execution.' ('History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, Vol. II, p. 297). Hall would undoubtedly have been in the thick of things and his battery commander was awarded a Army Small Gold Medal for the battle.

Next being in action for the Third - and successful - Siege of Badajoz (March - April 1812) before being back in the field for the Battle of Salamanca (22 July 1812) and Battle of Vitoria (21 June 1813), Hall remained in service long after the conclusion of the Napoleonic Wars and was discharged on 1 April 1826 as a consequence of: 'Being unfit for further service, from Chronic Rheumatism' - unsurprising considering his length of service, age (40) and the conditions in which he lived and fought.

Sold with copied Medal Roll extracts and Discharge sheet.

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

Sold for
£1,800

Starting price
£1200