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Auction: 24112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 6

Military General Service 1793-1814, 1 clasp, Java (Saml. Melvin, 69th Foot.), edge bruising, minor contact marks, nearly very fine

Samuel Melvin was born at Inch, County Down in 1780 and enlisted there for service with the 69th Foot on 1 November 1800. The Muster Rolls have him joining the Regiment in Jamaica from England on 17 December 1801, being posted to the company of Richard O'Doherty. Returning to Britain in August 1802 he remained there for the next three years, being posted to India in May 1805.

Melvin is listed as 'at sea' in November 1810 and stationed at 'Port Louis, Isle of France [Mauritius]' in January 1811. This movement was the precursor to the Invasion of Java in August 1811 and Carey is listed as part of Captain Robert Carey's Company, being at Wellevoreden in August. At the Battle of Cornelis they faced heavy fighting as they advanced separately to the main attack, pushing along the Great Jacarta River. Their attack upon the Dutch redoubt line saw them engaged in heavy fighting in which the Battalion Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel McLeod was killed.

The Battle was a major victory and the Island soon fell to the British with Melvin returning to India by the end of the year. He remained there for the next seven years, twice appearing 'in hospital' before being posted invalid at Poonamalle in January 1818. Embarking aboard the HEICS Rose on 2 February 1818 Melvin was struck off the strength on 24 May 1818; sold together with copied service papers and a muster roll transcription.

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Sold for
£600

Starting price
£320