Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Colour-Sergeant William Beckham, Scots Fusilier Guards

Military General Service 1793-1814, 2 clasps, Vittoria, Nive (W. Beckham, Serjt. 3rd Foot Gds.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 1st issue, large letter reverse (W. Beckham, Colour Serj. Scots Fus. Guards. 1842) fitted with replacement ring and deep square silver bar suspension inscribed ‘Peninsula’, both medals fitted with silver ribbon buckles, very fine (2)
£2000-2500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Napoleonic War Medals formed by the late R.W. Gould, M.B.E..

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William Beckham was born in the Parish of St Michael at Plea, Norfolk, circa 1794, and was a silk weaver prior to enlisting into the 3rd Foot Guards on 3 May 1812, a volunteer from the East Norfolk Militia, aged 18 years. He was discharged as a Colour-Sergeant in London on 24 May 1842, aged 48 years. His discharge papers state that he served ‘at Vittoria and other actions in the Peninsula, 2 years, viz 1812 to 1814,’ and ‘in Portugal one year & a quarter, viz 1827 & 1828.’ On the second occasion Beckham was part of the force sent under Sir William Clinton to Lisbon to protect British interests in Portugal and forestall any hint of foreign interference from Spain or Portugal. William Beckham died as a Chelsea out-pensioner at Norwich on 21 March 1867, aged 73 years. Sold with copied discharge papers and other research.