Baldwin & Sons
Auction 101 28 September 2016
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ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MILITARY MEDALS, Single British Campaign Medals, A "Die Hards" Military General Service Medal 1793-1814, 6 clasps, Albuhera, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Toulouse (Thos. Munn, 57th Foot). Suspension claw tightened and neat repair to carriage on one side between first two clasps, otherwise, very fine, toned.
During the early part of the Peninsular War the 57th Foot, which contained a number of turbulent characters in its ranks, received the nickname of the "Steelbacks", from the amount of flogging administered to the men and the way in which they bore the punishments, but after Albuhera Colonel Inglis' words to his "fighting villains" caused this soubriquet to be replaced by the Honourable one of the "Die Hards". At this bloodiest of battles the 57th had 2 officers and 87 men killed and 21 Officers and 318 men wounded.
The Regiment sustained a further 28 casualties at Vittoria, 75 in the Pyrenees, 64 at Nivelle and 127 at Nive.
Sold with extensive copied paperwork confirming entitlement.
Estimate: £3000-3500
During the early part of the Peninsular War the 57th Foot, which contained a number of turbulent characters in its ranks, received the nickname of the "Steelbacks", from the amount of flogging administered to the men and the way in which they bore the punishments, but after Albuhera Colonel Inglis' words to his "fighting villains" caused this soubriquet to be replaced by the Honourable one of the "Die Hards". At this bloodiest of battles the 57th had 2 officers and 87 men killed and 21 Officers and 318 men wounded.
The Regiment sustained a further 28 casualties at Vittoria, 75 in the Pyrenees, 64 at Nivelle and 127 at Nive.
Sold with extensive copied paperwork confirming entitlement.
Estimate: £3000-3500