Name: Auction: † “A Most Gallant Soldier Of the 66th Foot” – A Guard of The Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte whilst in Exile on St Helena.
Brand: Stanley Gibbons Baldwin's
Price: 1800 GBP
Availability: InStock

Sale No. M26001Stanley Gibbons Baldwin's is proud to offer for sale the outstanding “Petra” collection of Medals to the 22nd Regiment of Foot, The Cheshire Regiment, with a large and regimentally important collection of medals awarded for the Scinde Campaign of 1843. Including the extremely fine Scinde Campaign C.B. pair awarded to Major-General R. Henderson, Madras Sappers and Miners.&nbsp; The Victorian DSO Group of the Commanding Officer of the 11th (Service) Battalion the Cheshire Regiment - the nephew of Sir John French – Killed in Action at Thiepval 1916. The Rare Capture of Jerusalem Military Cross group awarded to Major Brereton Charles Dalton Nash Wortham Yorkshire Regiment and 9th Lancers who was probably wounded in the 9th Lancers Charge at Eclogues, 24th August 1914 and was awarded the Military Cross for distinguished services in the Field in connection with Military Operations, culminating in the capture of Jerusalem. The 1914 Star Trio awarded to Captain Ernest Rae Jones, 1st Battalion The Cheshire Regiment, who was killed in action during the Retreat from Mons, 24 August 1914.&nbsp;The July 1916 attack at Thiepval Military Cross Who Died of Wounds in 1918. A great collection and I am sure something to be added to your collection!!&nbsp;The Scinde Campaign, Extract – British Battles and Medals Seventh Edition by John Hayward, Diana Birch and Richard Bishop. Spink, London 2006During the 1st Afghan War 1839-42, the British had made use of the Scinde territories which lay across the River Indus.&nbsp; Wanting to keep control of them after the war, they resorted to the common expedient of replacing the ruler with their own nominee.&nbsp; In retaliation, the Baluchis then attacked Hyderabad. The ensuing campaign was carried out swiftly under the able Napier who completed the conquest and annexation of the Scinde in six months.The first operation of the campaign was the destruction of the fortress of Imamgarah, 15th of January. Situated deep in the desert, it was an example to the Amirs that no stronghold, however remote or strong, was immune from attack.&nbsp; On this occasion Napier made a remarkable dash with about 350 men of the 22nd Foot, mounted on Camels, and about 200 of the Scinde Horse.&nbsp;The Resident of Hyderabad, Major Jame Outram, in attempting to arrange a peaceful solution with the Amirs, was besieged in his Residency, 15th of February.&nbsp; A company of the 22nd Foot held off 8,000 Baluchis for four hours before successfully withdrawing to the ships Planet&nbsp;and Satellite&nbsp;and joining Napier.&nbsp; On the 17th of February, Napier, with 3,000 men, attacked and defeated a force of 30,000 at Meeanee.&nbsp; The action lasted four hours and in that time 2,000 Baluchis fell.&nbsp; Napier’s loss amounted to 62 killed and 194 wounded (22nd Foot: 24 Killed, 58 wounded).Following the Battle, the Amirs surrendered, with the exception of Shere Mohomed, who remained at large with a considerable force.&nbsp; Napier entered Hyderabad, on the 20th of March, with 5,000 men to confront Mahomed with over 25,000 at Dubba, on the outskirts.&nbsp; Mahomed was heavily defeated and suffered over 4,000 casualties.&nbsp;Napier’s losses numbered 39 killed and 231 wounded (22nd Foot: 23 Killed, 129 wounded).By now Napier had marched over 600 miles with never more than 5,000 men and had defeated an enemy of around 60,000.&nbsp;Between June and August, he then added another 280 miles in a consolidating operation during which he dispersed many thousand Baluchis.&nbsp; With the victory at Dubba, the power of the Amis was broken and the conquest of the Scinde accomplished.&nbsp;The Scinde Medal with Reverse Meeanee to the 22nd Foot only 65 Medals awarded&nbsp;Mark Smith MAJanuary 2026

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A H Baldwin & Sons Ltd has a history that dates back to 1872, and is one of the largest and longest established numismatic dealers and auction houses in the world. As a distinguished name in the numismatic trade, they have seamlessly transitioned into the world of bullion, bringing unparalleled expertise and commitment to quality to a broader audience.

Established in 1872, Baldwin's has been a cornerstone of the numismatic trade, earning a reputation for integrity, authenticity, and a passion for the rare and precious. For over a century and a half, we have been at the forefront of preserving and promoting the art and history encapsulated within rare coins and precious metals.

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The Military General Service Medal awarded to John Spreadbury, 66th Foot, ”a most Gallant Soldier” who fought at Albuera were the Regiment lost its Colours and all but 52 of its men and was one of the Regiment who sailed to St Helena in 1815 to Guard Napoleon Bonaparte, 6 men of the Regiment would form part of the Emperor’s Burial Party&nbsp;comprising Military General Service Medal 1793-1814, six clasp, Talavera, Busaco, Albuhera, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Toulouse, (J. Spreadbury, 66th Foot.), lightly toned very fine (1)&nbsp;At Albuera the, May 1811 the 66th Foot lost its Colours and all but 52 of its men. The few survivors joined with those of four other regiments to form the Provisional Battalion. This was renamed the 1st Provisional Battalion in December 1812 and finally disbanded in October 1814.&nbsp;St HelenaThe 66th raised a new 2nd Battalion in England, which sailed to St Helena in 1815 to guard the exiled Napoleon Bonaparte. In 1817, it was joined on the island by 1st Battalion.&nbsp;The two Battalions merged later that year, remaining on St Helena until Napoleon’s death in 1821. Six of the regiment's grenadiers formed part of his burial party.&nbsp;A native of Wilton, Wiltshire John Spreadbury joined the 66th Foot at Salisbury on the 31st of August 1807a 21-year-old Labourer who joined the Colours 2for Life”.&nbsp; He served in the Peninsula from 1809 to 1814 and St Helan from the 24th of July 1815 to the 20th of August 1821returning after Napoleon’s Death in exile.&nbsp; He was Discharged “Worn out in the Service” at Dublin on the 26th of May 1826.&nbsp; His papers state “To the knowledge of the writer he has always been a most gallant soldier”&nbsp;Sold with Copy Discharge Papers Copy Medal Roll and Copy Noonans Medal Roll&nbsp;ProvenanceSpink Nov 1896Spink Jan 1984Spink April 1998

† “A Most Gallant Soldier Of the 66th Foot” – A Guard of The Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte whilst in Exile on St Helena.

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† “A Most Gallant Soldier Of the 66th Foot” – A Guard of The Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte whilst in Exile on St Helena.

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