Military Awards from the Collection of John Tamplin

A rare pattern of the proposed Waterloo Medal in copper by Wyon, named to John Martin, 6th or Inniskilling Dragoons

Waterloo 1815, pattern in copper by Wyon, 35mm, obv. laureate bust of the Prince Regent encircled by legend ‘George Prince Regent’, dated 1815 below the bust, the whole surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves, rev. with minor differences but otherwise as for the adopted design except that the date is omitted from the exergue, impressed on the edge in the official Waterloo style (* John Martin * 6th or Inniskilling Drag. *), very fine £600-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Military Awards from the Collection of John Tamplin.

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A John Martin did indeed serve at the battle of Waterloo with the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons. A Weaver from Armagh, he was discharged to pension suffering from chronic rheumatism in December 1826, aged 38, having served a total of 21 years and one month, including two years service for Waterloo. It is unlikely, however, that he would have actually received this bronze medal in addition to his normal silver issued medal.

Three other named specimens of this proposed Waterloo Medal have been recorded. One, named “Field Marshal The Duke of Wellington, K.G. & G.C.B.”, was in the collections of Lieutenant-Colonel J. B. Gaskell and D. Hastings Irwin. Tancred says he was sent one for inspection by a Mr A. Skinner which was impressed “John Shaw, Mint.” The British Museum has two specimens; one, rather battered, is unnamed, and the other is impressed “Thomas Bostock Royal Horse Guards.” this man similarly served in the Royal Horse Guards at Waterloo. Sold with further research and correspondence.