The Collection of Medals formed by the late John Darwent

Waterloo 1815 (Leonard Simons, 2nd Batt. 69th Reg. Foot) fitted with crude silver clip and large rectangular suspension bar inscribed ‘Leonard Simons, H.M. 69 Regt.’, edge bruising and contact marks, therefore fine £1000-1200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals formed by the late John Darwent.

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Leonard Simons was born in the Parish of St Pauls, Bedford, and attested for the 69th Foot at Yarmouth, Norfolk, a cordwainer by trade, aged 20 years. He was promoted to Corporal in May 1823, to Sergeant in March 1827, and was discharged on 9 October 1833. His detailed discharge papers state that he ‘served 2 years in Holland, Flanders and France. Was present at the affair before Merxem and bombardment of Antwerp in February 1814, and the storming of Bergen-op-Zoom on 8th March in the same year, also at the actions of Quatre Bras and Waterloo on 16, 17, and 18 June 1815. Eight years two hundred and forty two days in the East, and one year one hundred and sixty days in the West Indies, and the remainder at Home.’ His name does not appear on the Waterloo Medal roll but his presence at the battle is fully confirmed on his discharge and pension documents, and on the Waterloo Prize roll. He died at Corby, Northamptonshire, on 17 December 1879, aged 86 years. Sold with full research.