Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Field Officer’s Gold Medal awarded to Lieutenant Thomas Power, 47th Foot, who, though wounded, took command of his regiment at the storming of St Sebastian, one of a small hand-full of officers of his rank thus honoured

Field Officer’s Gold Medal 1808-14, for St. Sebastian (Captn. Thos. Power, 47th Regt.) complete with gold ribbon buckle, in its original silk-lined red leather case of issue, nearly extremely fine and very rare £15000-20000

Thomas Power was appointed Ensign in the 47th Foot on 19 June 1806, aged 25, and became Lieutenant, by purchase, on 25 March 1808. He proceeded to the Peninsula in October 1810, being present at the siege of Cadiz, battles of Barossa and Tarifa, siege of St Sebastian, crossing of the Bidassoa and battle of Nivelle. Promoted Captain for gallantry at St Sebastian, 8th Battalion 60th Foot, 6 November 1813; half-pay, on reduction of the battalion, 2 December 1819. He married at Douglas, Isle of Man, on 26 November 1828, and is believed to have died there in 1845.

Lieutenant Power was severely wounded in the head at St Sebastian on 31 August 1813 and succeeded to the command of the battalion after Captain Livesay was wounded, he having taken command upon the death of Major Kelly. General Graham in his despatch on the conclusion of the siege wrote that “Lieutenant-General Sir J. Leith commends highly Captain Livesay, who succeeded to the command of the 47th Foot on Major Kelly being killed, and kept it till wounded, when the command devolved on Lieutenant Power, who ably performed the duty.”

‘He was lying wounded before the Fortress of St Sebastian where a Non-commissioned Officer stumbled against him, he said “Oh! Lieutenant Power all the Officers are cut down and there is no one to save the Colours.” Power said “take off my sash and tie up my head” and he led them on to Victory. Eleven Officers and four hundred and fifty five men were killed that day. For this deed he was presented with the Gold Medal, £100 for wounds, and most coveted of all a “Company” in the King’s Royal Rifles “the gallant 60th” (Extracts from typescript note of Major Power’s services sold with Lot).

The Gold Medal is accompanied by an old photographic print of a painting of the action and the following note: ‘Episode in the career of Major Thomas Power, who when Lieutenant won the gold medal and his promotion from the 47th Regt. to his “Company” in the 60th, “The King’s Royal Rifles”, also £100 for a wound in his head. This picture represents his leading the “Forlorn Hope” at San Sebastian, where although wounded, he led on his men to victory at the famous siege of San Sebastian in the Peninsula War. His brother (twin) won the Waterloo silver Medal.’

See following Lot for the Waterloo medal awarded to his twin brother, David, a Captain in the 44th Foot.