Waterloo 1815 (William M’Kinley, 2nd or R.N. Brit. Reg. Drag.) fitted with original steel clip and ring suspension, minor edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise better than very fine £2500-3000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys).

View
Collection

William McKinley was born in the Parish of Kirkinnee, near Wigton, Galloway, and enlisted into the 2nd Dragoons at Glasgow on 16 February 1805, aged 21 years, for unlimited service. At Waterloo he served in No. 3 Troop commanded by Captain Edward Cheney, who commanded the regiment for the final three hours of the battle, and in the space of twenty minutes had five horses killed under him.

McKinley was discharged on 17 March 1818, and admitted to Out-Pension at Chelsea Hospital in consequence of ‘the Capsular Ligaments of the right shoulder joint having been very severely injured by his horse falling upon him on the 12th of May 1817, whilst in pursuit of some smugglers near Deal, by reason of which he has totally lost the power of his arm.’ Sold with copy discharge papers.