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Auction: 24002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 23

Military General Service 1793-1814, 3 clasps, Sahagun, Vittoria, Toulouse (Isaac Bailey, 15th Hussars.), heavy edge knock at 6 o'clock partially obscuring regimental number, otherwise very fine

Provenance:
Glendining's, 1950.
Baldwin's, 1954.
Spink, 1998.

Isaac Bailey was born in Bromham, Wiltshire in 1782 and enlisted with the 15th Light Dragoons in 1796. They were the first regiment converted to Hussars to appear in public, which they did in Hounslow in 1808 before joining the Peninsular War later that year, disembarking at Corunna to join General Slade's Hussar Brigade. The unit saw action at the Battle of Sahagun under the command of Lord Paget, who marched at night with troops, including the 15th Hussars, and ordered the 10th Hussars to drive the French east where he awaited them with the 15th. The unit successfully charged and routed the enemy, and did so without suffering heavy losses.

They left for England in January 1809 and remained there until embarking for Belem in January 1813, where Bailey was part of Captain Booth's 3rd Troop. The Regiment joined Colonel Grant's Hussar Brigade, which was personally inspected by Arthur Wellesley that May. The next month, they were present for the Battle of Morales though did not take part in the action, but took a more active role in the Battle of Vittoria later that month, during which the Hussar Brigade attacked the fleeing French troops. They were later only lightly engaged in the Battle of Toulouse in April 1814.

Bailey and his Regiment returned to England in July 1814 and the following month Bailey was discharged at Hounslow in consequence of 'the reduction of the regiment, length of service & general unhealth contracted on service'. Bailey had served for nearly 18 years, his profession listed as 'clothier'. Admitted to a pension, census records report his living in Melksham, Wiltshire, where he died on 31 December 1850 at age 68; sold together with copied research.

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Sold for
£2,100

Starting price
£600