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Auction: 25002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 116

Army L.S. & G.C., W.IV.R. (Thomas Taylor, 85th Regiment Foot. 1833.), steel clip and replacement large ring suspension, very fine

Provenance:
Purchased Hamilton & Co., August 1987.

Thomas Taylor was born in 1793 and hailed from County Wicklow, Ireland. A hatter by trade, he joined the 85th Foot in November 1808, aged 15 and was soon thrown into the ill-fated Walcheren Expedition from July-December 1809. He began service as a Private from 9 November 1811, having shared in the Battle of Fuentes de Onoro that same May.

The Regiment was dispatched to North America in May 1814 and saw action in the last phase of the War of 1812. It fought at the Battle of Bladensburg, capturing two American colours, in August 1814. Under the command of Colonel William Thornton, they also carried out a successful attack on the American positions on the west bank of the Mississippi River during the Battle of New Orleans in January 1815.

Advanced Corporal in 25 May 1815, he was reduced Private in June 1815 and was released in November 1832. Taylor lived to claim his MGSM with clasp Fuentes D'Onor.


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Sold for
£1,200

Starting price
£240