Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 25002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 168

(x) A 'Battle of Ordal 1813' Guelphic Medal for Bravery pair awarded to Corporal C. Schwartze, 4th Line Battalion, King's German Legion - who was decorated for his part in bringing Lieutenant Graffe from action despite being wounded himself

The gallant Schwartze then returned to the fight and took a further brace of wounds and latterly '...distinguished himself' at Waterloo

Guelphic Medal for Bravery 1815 (Chr...Corporal im Infan...lle.), replacement silver suspension, naming very worn and obliterated; Waterloo 1815 (Christi...Schwartze, 4th Line Batt. K.G.L.), replacement silver suspension, rather worn overall, polished and worn with pride (2)

Guelphic Medal for Bravery for the Battle of Ordal, 13 September 1813, as per von Wissel:

'Schutze Christian Schwartze, 4th Line Battalion, was leading his mortally wounded Lieutenant Graffe out of the Battle at Ordal to the rear and went directly back to his unit, although already wounded himself. Shortly after, he received two more wounds which left him on the ground. Again, at Waterloo, he distinguished himself.'

Christian Schwartze entered the 4th Line Battalion, King's German Legion on 12 December 1805. During his career he was stationed at Verden, Clooney Barracks, Tullamore, Blagdam, Zeeland; Messina, Gisso, Contessa, Augusta, Syracuse and Gauzien (Sicily); St. Vincente, St. Culgat, Valls and Esplugas (Spain); Oudres, Deal, Mons, Bois de Boulogne and Neuilly (France); and Barnstorff (Hanover).

At the Battle of Ordal in Catalonia, Spain, the First French Empire Corps led by Marshal Louis Gabriel Suchet made a night assault on a position held by Lieutenant-General Lord William Bentinck's smaller Anglo-Allied and Spanish advance guard. The 4th Line Battalion were under the tactical command of Colonel Frederick Adam. They put up a strong fight and showed great spirit but were eventually driven from their positions, at the cost of 25 killed and 11 wounded from Schwartze's comrades. Lieutenant's Graffe and Bacmeister were recorded in the Regimental History as the officers who fell wounded, Graffe mortally so. Having also shown his skills at Waterloo in June 1815, Schwartze was released on the disbandment of the unit in March 1816. He does not appear to have lived to claim a Military General Service Medal; sold together with copied research.

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

Sold for
£2,300

Starting price
£1100