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Auction: 20002 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Space Exploration
Lot: 260

The Military General Service Medal awarded to Private C. Scott, 3rd Foot Guards, who had his left leg amputated on account of his wounds received at Barrosa

Military General Service 1793-1814, 1 clasp, Barrosa (C. Scott, 3rd Foot Guards.), good very fine

Provenance:
James Crichton, October 1925, £12/10/0.

Christopher Scott was born 6 October 1783 and was baptised the following day at Leicester. He enlisted enlisted in the 3rd Foot Guards on 4 May 1805. On 9 September 1810 three Companies of the 3rd Guards with six of the 1st Foot Guards and two of the 2nd Foot Guards, formed a Brigade commanded by Major-General Dilkes that sailed for Cadiz, to form the Garrison there during the siege of Cadiz.

On their arrival at Cadiz on 31 March 1810, they were sent to camp on Isla de Leon, being deployed on Garrison duty and building defences. By 17 February 1811, the Brigade marched to Cadiz for embarkation as part of Lieutenant-General Graham's force intended to march from Tarifa and attack the French base at Chiclana in an attempt to relieve the siege. Arriving on 5 March 1811 at the heights of Barrosa, following a long overnight march, Graham was directed by the Spanish Commander La Peña to march his troops onwards to Bermeja, through a pine wood along the sea coast. The Guards brought up the rear of the column, when after about a mile information was received that the French had attacked and taken possession of the hill.

Quickly counter-marching, the Guards Brigade were deployed on the right flank, with the 3rd Guards on the right. Having emerged from the wood, the Guards with no formation began climbing the heights against an enemy descending to meet them. The 3rd Guards faced the French Grenadiers and opened a shattering volley from very close distance, before charging uphill and defeating the French at the point of the bayonet. During this Scott was severely wounded, resulting in his left leg being amputated and being pensioned on 13 August 1811.

Scott died on 10 August 1878 at 68 Conduit Street, Leicester, an obituary in the Leicester Weekly Post stating:

'DEATH OF A PENINSULAR VETERAN IN LEICESTER

The death is announced of Christopher Scott of Conduit Street, aged 94, who was an Army Pensioner, and was in receipt of 1s. 6d. per diem. He received an increase of 6d. per day in 1874, when all the old veterans then alive obtained an additional pension. Mr Scott took part in the Peninsular War, and served under the Duke of Wellington in the Scots Fusilier Guards. He was in possession of the Peninsular Medal with clasps [sic], each clasp representing a battle; and at the last - [sic] Badajoz - he lost his leg. This veteran was highly respected by many of the inhabitants of Leicester.'

Sold together with copied extracts and rolls.


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Sold for
£1,600

Starting price
£600