Peninsula War 5 Bar Coldstream Guardsman
£2,875.00Military General Service Medal 1847
Clasps Barrosa, Fuentes D'onor, Ciudad Rodrigo, Salamanca and Vittoria
Named T. Simpson. COLDSm Gds.
An impressive 5 bar Military General Service Medal to a Coldstream Guardsman. Confirmed on the roll. Remarks state 'Late pension WO 116/64. 3 times wounded Chelsea Board WO 180/59 page 1416.'
The Battle of Barrosa took place on 5th March 1811. The French losses were about 3000 men killed, wounded and taken prisoner. English losses were 7 Officers, 195 men killed, 55 Officers and 985 men wounded.
Fuentes D'onor took place on 5th May 1811. After the withdrawal of the French from the Lisbon area, Wellington prepared to invade Spain on 2 fronts. British losses were over 1500 killed, wounded and missing. The French losses were said to have exceeded 3000. The battle lasted til night time and the British held their position.
Ciudad Rodrigo took place between 8th-19th January 1812. Wellington renewed his offensive against the French in Spain early in 1812. Barring his way was the French held fortress of Ciudad Rodrigo. After marching through heavy snow, Wellington commenced for the attack on this fortress. The final assault was ordered at 7pm on 19th January after the walls had been breached. The Garrison was captured and it's defenders consisting of 80 officers and 1700 men were taken prisoner. The British and their allies lost over 550 casualties during the siege and at least a further 500 during the assault.
Salamanca took place on 22nd July 1812. With the capture of the fortresses at Ciudad Rodrigo and Badojoz, the route to Spain now lay open for Wellington. The action commenced at 4pm on 22nd July. For this action Wellington was created a Marquis and granted a bounty of £100,000. The French lost over 7000 killed and wounded and 7000 prisoners were taken. British casualties were 27 Officers and 472 men killed, 173 Officers and over 2900 men wounded.
Vittoria took place on 21st June 1813. Napoleon's disastrous loss against Russia led to the withdrawal of troops from the Peninsula. Wellington took full advantage of this and marched from the Portuguese Frontier into the North of Spain. The French according to their own account lost 8000 killed and wounded. British losses were 501 killed, 2807 wounded.
Condition as shown in photographs
