Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

77th Foot Medal 1818, obverse: ‘77’ with Prince of Wales’s plumes above, ‘Peninsula’ below’ and a branch of laurel to either side; reverse: within a wreath of laurel is engraved, ‘El bodon’ (John Mavelly),36mm., silver, with steel clip and ring suspension, Ref: Balmer R.479c, Tancred p.344, H.I. p.273, Payne p.208, minor edge bruising, good very fine £180-220

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Regimental Medals from the James N Spencer Collection.

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The medal was established by Colonel Sir George Cooke, 77th Foot, in 1818 as a reward for El Boden, Cuidad Rodrigo, Badajoz and Seringapatam, the reverse of the medal being engraved with the appropriate battles.

El Bodon, a village in western Spain S.W. of Ciudad Rodrigo, was the scene of an action between French cavalry under General Montbrun and a mixed force of British / K.G.L. infantry and cavalry, part of the the 3rd Division, under Major-General T. Picton. The allied force was in encampment and caught unawares by the French cavalry. Quickly recoving, they rallied and withdrew in good order towards the main lines. Such was the order, the French cavalry, without infantry or artillery support, was unable to close with the retreating force which made to safety some 10 km. away. For this action, the 1st Hussars K.G.L. was awarded ‘El Bodon’ as a battle honour. The 1/ 77th suffered 23 men killed, wounded or missing out of a total allied loss of 149.