Orders, Decorations and Medals

Pair: Captain Edward Wells, 54th Foot, late Troop Sergeant Major, 13th Light Dragoons

WATERLOO 1815 (Trp. Set. Maj., 13th Reg. Light Dragoons) fitted with original steel clip and contemporary swivel-ring bar suspender; MILITARY GENERAL SERVICE 1793-1814, 4 clasps, Albuhera, Vittoria, Orthes, Toulouse (Serjt., 13th Lt. Dgns.) small edge bruise to the first, otherwise the pair nearly extremely fine (2)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, An Important Collection of Waterloo Medals.

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Edward Wells served with the 13th Light Dragoons in the Peninsula from February 1810 to the end of the war, including the cavalry engagement between Campo Mayor and Badajoz when he was wounded. Also at the battles of Albuhera, Almarez, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Orthes and Toulouse. His leg was broken by a gun-shot wound on the 18th June at Waterloo (ref. Hart's 1840). He commanded Captain Gubbins's troop at Waterloo after all the officers had fallen. His gallantry that day was particularly remarked. (ref. Dalton The Waterloo Roll Call). A letter from Lieutenant A.T. MacLean of the regiment is published in Waterloo Letters by Captain Siborne, and notes: 'It occurs to me this instant that in the second advance made by the Brigade, when it suffered so severely, one Troop of the 13th lost all its officers Captain Gubbins, Lieutenants Geale and Pym.' Wells was promoted Ensign in the 2nd West India Regiment in 1816, and to Lieutenant in 1826. He exchanged to the 54th Foot, becoming Captain in 1836, and quitted the service in 1841.