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Auction: 26003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 113

(x) Pair: Private J. Taylor, 92nd (Gordon Highlanders) Regiment of Foot

Military General Service 1793-1814, 8 clasps, Egypt, Corunna, Fuentes D'Onor, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Toulouse (John Taylor, 92nd Foot); Waterloo 1815, fitted with original steel ring and loop suspension (John Taylor, 1st Bat. 92nd Highlanders.), very fine (2)

The only 8-clasp Medal with this combination of clasps to the 92nd (Gordon Highlanders) Regiment of Foot. Given the fact he is missing the clasp 'Orthes', perhaps he was wounded or sick after the Battle of Nive, 9-13 December 1813 but had recovered in time for the Battle of Toulouse on 10 April 1814.

John Taylor saw active service in multiple campaigns, not only those represented in his awards but would also have been embarked with the 1st Battalion for Copenhagen in August 1807. The unit shared in the Battle of Koge, as part of the Anglo-German force some 6,000 strong under Arthur Wellesley which defeated a larger Danish force on 29 August 1807. It latterly became known as the 'Træskoslaget' (The Clogs Battle), for the Danish militiamen were forced to leave their heavy footwear behind in fleeing the field. They also shared in the Battle of Copenhagen soonafter. Having participated in the action and evacuation from Corunna, they had the misfortune to be sent into the abortive Walcheren campaign in 1809.

Taylor served in Captain Claude Alexander's Company at the Battle of Waterloo, when the unit famously joined in the charge of the Scots Greys, as recalled by Corporal Dickson of 'F' Troop:

'They were all Gordons, and as we passed through them they shouted 'Go at them the Greys! Scotland for ever!' My blood thrilled at this and I clutched my sabre tighter. Many of them grasped our stirrups and in the fiercest excitement, dashed with us into the fight.'

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

Estimate
£3,000 to £5,000

Starting price
£2400