Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Military General Service 1793-1814, 3 clasps, Orthes, Toulouse, Badajoz (W. Gammell, Lieut., 95th Rifles), with old silver riband buckle with gold pin for wearing, the ‘Badajoz’ clasp a contemporary private addition, edge nicks, otherwise good very fine £1500-2000

William Gammell, the son of Lieutenant-General Andrew Gammell, Grenadier Guards, was appointed an Ensign in the 25th Foot in January 1808. One year later he purchased a Lieutenancy in the 85th Foot, and was slightly wounded at Badajoz in June 1811, the impetus no doubt for him “putting-up” the relevant clasp on his Medal, even though he had not been present in the original operations of March to April, and did not therefore qualify for the clasp. Transferring to the Rifle Brigade in 1813, he was next present at Orthes and Toulouse. Gammell subsequently purchased a Captaincy in the 104th Foot in April 1816, exchanged into the 86th Foot in the following year, and purchased a Majority on the Unattached List in August 1826, after serving in the latter regiment in Ireland and Flanders. He died at his residence, Victoria Place, Stonehouse in February 1852; also see Lot 962 for his son’s awards.