Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Military General Service 1793-1814, 8 clasps, Roleia, Vimiera, Busaco, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, Orthes (William Somerby, 40th Foot.) good very fine £2,000-£2,600

Provenance: Lawson Whalley Collection 1875; Sotheby, November 1893; Debenham’s, June 1899; Glendining’s, July 1953.

A unique combination of clasps to the M.G.S. medal.

William Somerby was admitted to the pension list at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, on 7 June 1816. He had served 10 years as a Private in the 40th Foot and eighteen months in the 7th Royal Veterans, and was then aged 55. He was discharged in consequence of ‘Reduction and wounded right thigh and left leg in Spain.’ Furthermore, he ‘states he was at the storming of Monte Video, was at Vimiera, Badajoz, Salamanca, Rodrigo, Vittoria and Toulouse, wounded right knee and left leg.’

Sold with copied pages from pension register. His discharged papers should be found in WO 97/132 but have not yet been traced. These show that he was from Wellingborough, Northants.