Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Corporal Samuel Leap, 40th Foot

Military General Service 1793-1814, 10 clasps, Roleia, Vimiera, Talavera, Busaco, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, Orthes, Toulouse (S. Leap, Corpl. 40th Foot.); Waterloo 1815 (Samuel Le.., 1st Batt. 40th Reg. Foot.) fitted with contemporary replacement silver clip and silver bar suspension inscribed ‘Peninsula’ as often found to this regiment, the second with edge bruising and contact marks with consequential loss of two letters of surname, fine, the first with light edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise very fine (2) £4,000-£5,000

Sotheby, July 1896.

Samuel Leap was born in the Parish of Yarcomb, Devon, and attested for the 40th Foot at Taunton, Somerset, on 19 March 1805, aged 15. He served ‘under age’ until 19 March 1808, and then as a Private until 24 November 1827, when he was promoted to Corporal for the final 3 years 6 days of his service. He served ‘in the Peninsula during the Campaigns of 1808, 1809, 1810, 1811, 1812, 1813, & 1814. At Waterloo. Was wounded in the right knee in the Pyrenees, 1st August 1813. In America three months. In New South Wales, five years and three quarters. East Indies, three hundred and sixty days.’ He was discharged in the East Indies on 30 November 1830, landed at Gravesend on 18 June 1831, and received his final discharge on 9 August 1831. The Board were of the opinion that ‘for the many years he has served in this regiment, he has invariably conducted himself as a steady, honest & brave soldier.’

Sold with copied discharge papers.