A fine Guelphic Medal group of four awarded to Hussar William Francis, 3rd Hussars, King’s German Legion, for gallantry during General Wallmoden’s campaign against the Danes in Northern Germany and at the battle of Waterloo

Guelphic Medal for Bravery 1815 (Hus[sar Wilh]elm Francis, vom 3 H[ussar R]egt.) naming weak in parts due to contact wear; Military General Service 1793-1814, 1 clasp, Sahagun & Benevente (Wilhelm Francis, 3rd Hussars K.G.L.); Waterloo 1815 (William Francis, 3rd Reg. Hussars K.G.L.) fitted with original steel clip and later ring suspension; Hannoverian Medal for Volunteers of the K.G.L. 1814, contact wear to the earlier pair, therefore good fine, otherwise very fine and better (4) £4000-5000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, An Important Collection of Medals to The King's German Legion, the Property of a Gentleman.

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Collection

See Colour Plate I.

Ex Sir Godfrey Dalrymple White Collection 1946.

Awarded the Guelphic Medal in the 1818 List:

“In December 1813, Francis was on a night patrol with a non-commissioned officer and six men near Eckernförde in Holstein. Going forward alone, he fell in with three of the enemy’s patrol, whom he made prisoners, and learned from them that a detachment of one hundred and fifty men, would follow in the course of an hour; upon hearing which he placed himself as vedette. The detachment arrived, was challenged by him, and upon the answer “Danes” he fired and rode back. Having reached the patrol, he gave the word of command in a loud voice “Threes right wheel! gallop! march!” and directed his comrades to extend their files and fire quickly, in order to deceive the Danes as to their strength; this was done, and the enemy’s detachment were induced to retreat. Also showed great courage at Waterloo; while skirmishing he rode at a French officer and shot him.” (Ref Beamish p509, Von Wissel p215)

At Benevente, a young hussar of this regiment called Bergmann is generally credited with the capture of the French General Lefebvre. William Francis served in Lieutenant Francis Pawer’s Troop at Waterloo when the 3rd Hussars formed part of the 7th Cavalry Brigade and lost 20 per cent of their strength in killed and wounded. Francis is noted as still being alive in 1856. This group of medals first appeared on the London market in 1895.