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Auction: 20002 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Space Exploration
Lot: 261

Military General Service 1793-1814, 2 clasps, Vimiera, Barrosa (J. Tomlin, Serjt. 9th Foot.), obverse brooch marks and edge plugged at 9 o’clock, suspension re-affixed, edge bruising, thus fine

John Tomlin was born at Barton, Northamptonshire, in 1791 and enlisted in the 9th Foot at Nottingham on 6 March 1807, aged 16 years. By July 1808 the 2nd Battalion were ordered on active service to Portugal as part of Sir Arthur Wellesley's army, landing at Porto Novo, from there they marched to Vimiera to join the army and fight in the second battle of the campaign, before forming the garrison at Lisbon. By early 1809, they were stationed at Santarem, then Coimbra, before Wellesley decided to send them to Gibraltar for Garrison Duty.

In April 1810, the Light Companies, including Tomlin, were sent to re-inforce Tarifa from the French, before rejoining the Battalion at Gibraltar in September 1809.

By February 1811, the Light Companies were once again sent to Tarifa in order to join Lieutenant-General Graham's attack to relieve the Siege of Cadiz, they would be placed in Lieutenant-Browne's Flank Brigade with responsibility to guard the baggage train and protect the height at Barrosa, whilst the remainder of Graham's command had been ordered up the coast to Bermeja. The French with a Division commanded by Ruffin attacked the height driving the small band of men down the hill to the forest - Graham returned on hearing the news and ordered Browne to attack, this was to gain time for the Guards Brigade to emerge and form at the base of the hill for a counter attack.
Browne with his small band of men dutifully obeyed, ascending the hill the French opened with cannon and musketry, knocking over half his men with the first volley, during this desperate time Tomlin was wounded in the left breast. The 9th suffered 8 killed and 60 wounded.

In June 1811 the Light Companies were placed under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Skerrett to sail from Gibraltar to Tarragona for the relief of Spanish Forces being besieged by the French. On arrival Skerret deemed the landing too dangerous and the fleet stood off before returning via Minorca to Gibraltar. In early 1813 and with their numbers being seriously depleted the 9th returned to England. Their next tour would be as part of the Army of Occupation in August 1815 at Valencienes for three years. Embarked for the West Indies in March 1819 they arrived at Carlisle Bay, Barbados, where they remained for eight years. Tomlin was discharged at Manchester on 22 November 1827 on account of ‘chronic hepatitis’, being ‘worn out by service and disease’. Having lived to claim his richly deserved Medal & clasps, Tomlin came to an unfortunate ending as reported in the Northampton Mercury of 21 August 1852:

'Earls Barton - On Saturday last an inquest was held before P.E. Hicks, Esq., coroner on the body of John Tomlin, a pensioner. Deceased was commonly called Tyler, and was 61 years of age. On Friday he was gathering cherries in an orchard belonging to Mr. Kimbell, for a fruit dealer named John Garrett. He was on the top of a 30-round ladder, and it is supposed that he must have overbalanced himself, as he was heard to fall through the tree, and was directly after picked up with both arms broken. At first he thought he could walk, but failed almost immediately, and was carried home, where he died before medical aid could arrive. He was supposed to have received some internal injury. Verdict - Accidental Death. Deceased had two or three other serious falls while fruit gathering, and had been counselled by the late Mr Whitworth not to peril his life again.'

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Sold for
£700

Starting price
£480