Pair: Quarter-Master Sergeant James Hay, 79th Foot

Military General Service 1793-1814, 8 clasps, Egypt, Busaco, Fuentes D’Onor, Salamanca, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Toulouse (J. Hay, Qr. Mr. Serjt. 79th Foot); Waterloo 1815 (Qr. Mast. Serj. Ja. Hay, 1st Batt. 79th Reg. Foot) fitted with steel clip and ring suspension, very fine (2) £4000-4500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals formed by the late John Darwent.

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Collection

Ex Mackenzie collection 1934, and Leyland Robinson collection 1952.

James Hay was born at Haddington, East Lothian, circa 1773, and enlisted into the 79th Foot at Haddington on 6 March 1798. He was promoted to Quarter-Master Sergeant in February 1812, and was discharged ‘being wore out’ in France on 3 August 1816. He served in Egypt, Spain, France, Flanders and Waterloo, and although not credited with the clasp, was present with the regiment throughout the retreat to Corunna. Sold with copy discharge papers.