Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 24002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 16

Military General Service 1793-1814, 2 clasps, Sahagun & Benevente, Vittoria (G. Harman, Serjeant, 10th Hussars.), a couple of edge knocks, otherwise good very fine

Provenance:
Glendining's, April 1918.
Dixon, April 2003.
Spink, November 2012.

Only 8 other ranks of the 10th Hussars entitled to this combination of clasps.

George Harman was born in Clonakilty, County Cork, circa 1785 and attested with the 10th Light Dragoons, later converted to Hussars in 1807, at Seaford, Sussex in 1805. Harman and his unit entered the Peninsular War in November 1808, arriving in Corunna to join General Moore's army. They were present the following month at the Battle of Sahagun though were not engaged in much action. The unit played a much larger role a few days later in the Battle of Benevente, where they drove the French back to the Esla River and took dozens of prisoners including French General Lefebvre-Desnouettes.

Sailing back to England in January 1809, they later rejoined the Peninsular War in 1813. The Regiment participated in an exciting engagement at the Battle of Morales in June 1813, where:

'the rear guard of the French was overtaken on the 2nd June by the Hussar Brigade. The French horsemen immediately passed a bridge and a swamp under fire, and then, facing about in two lines, gave battle. Major Robarts, with the Tenth, followed them, and, forming up with a squadron of the 18th echeloned on his flank, and the remainder of that regiment in support, charged the French dragoons with such effect that their first line was at once overthrown, and, becoming a confused mass, galloped back on to their supports. Following up their success, the Tenth, with the 18th still in support, the 15th in reserve, attacked the second line; this soon broke and fled, the pursuit being carried on for two miles. In addition to their loss in killed and wounded, two officers, 202 non-commissioned officers and men of the enemy, and an equal proportion of horses, were captured', taken from Memoirs of the Tenth Royal Hussars.

At Morales, Harman was wounded by a sword through his right lung. However, the wound must have not been too debilitating as Harman was back in action for the Battle of Vittoria later that month.

Harman was promoted Corporal in December 1813 and embarked for Dover with the rest of his unit the next year. He was promoted Serjeant in March 1815 at the Depot, where he remained and missed Waterloo. Harman was discharged on 16 July 1830, 'occasioned by length of service together with wound through the right lung' with 'very good' conduct, after having served 24 years and 350 days. Harman's death certificate shows that he was a pensioner and died of consumption in Kilgarvan, County Kerry on 2 December 1864 at age 75, his death being reported by his wife Catherine; 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
£1,200

Starting price
£950