Orders, Decorations and Medals

MILITARY GENERAL SERVICE 1793-1814, 9 clasps, Talavera, Busaco, Albuhera, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, Toulouse (Wm. Smith, Serjt. 31st Foot) nearly extremely fine

Ex Hyde Greg collection 1887.

William Smith was born in Halifax, Yorkshire, and was a spinner by trade. He served throughout the Peninsula Wars with the 31st Foot and was one of only ten men to receive the maximum entitlement of 9 clasps. The regiment sustained very heavy casualties at Talavera and Albuhera. At one point during the latter battle, the 31st was the only formed body of British troops and resisted every effort by the French to break the square. As a result of casualties the regiment was so depleted that it was linked with the 66th Regiment, forming the 1st Provisional Battalion.