I have been looking for a while for my first M.G.S. and recently this one came into a local dealer.
The medal is to WILLIAM NICHOLS of the 3rd Regiment of foot (THE BUFFS).
It came with a copy of his service papers and medal roll plus an article from the "Sabretche Magazine" about the 3rd Regiment of Foot in Australia in which there is a write up on William Nichols.
The medal is a three bar clasp example even though on his service record it shows that he was possibly entitled to another three. I was wondering is this a common occurrence with the M.G.S. medal ?
On enlistment William Nichols was 5ft 5" with hazel brown eyes and brown hair and his occupation was listed as a weaver from Mohill in County Leitrim. He enlisted in the Regiment at Roscrea in Limerick, on the 19th of June 1805 at the age of eighteen.
His service for pension at the date of discharge, amounted to 32 years and 207 days.He had served in the Peninsula from 1808 to 1814 and although his M.G.S.medal only carries the clasps Albuera, Pyrenees and Nivelle, his discharge certificate states, "that he was present at the Douro, Battles of Talavera, Albuera, Orthes, Nive, Nivelle, Ronces Valles, Toulouse, near Pampeluna, at Plattensburgh in North America".
At discharge he was recorded as being "47 Years of age Grey hair, hazel eyes, fair complexion".His character had been "very good" and he was discharged "On the Modified rate of pension".
Nichols indicated that he intended to reside at Mohill after discharge. The award of the M.G.S. medal to Nichols indicates that he was still alive in 1847, then aged 57, a fair age for an old soldier with his length of service.
During his service of 32 years he had served in Europe, North America, Australia, and finally India before being discharged. A well travelled veteran!
The famous action for the Regiment was at the battle of Albuera.
On 16 May 1811 the 3rd of Foot (The Buffs) were ordered to capture a hill at Albuera from the French. Unable to shake off the enemy by fire, they advanced with the bayonet but were suddenly attacked in the rear by no less than four regiments of French Hussars and Polish Lancers. A dreadful massacre followed. The Buffs fought bravely but the ranks were soon broken by the charging cavalry. Ensign Thomas, who carried the Regimental colour, was called on to surrender after his escort was cut down. Crying “Only with my life” he was mortally wounded and the colour was captured. Ensign Walsh, carrying the King’s colour, was wounded and captured but Lieutenant Latham rushed forward and seized the colour. A French Hussar seized the flag-staff and struck at Latham with his sabre severing one side of his face and nose. Latham still continued to struggle to protect the colour. A second stroke severed his left arm. Dropping his sword, he seized the staff and refused to yield, continuing to fight until he was thrown down, trampled on and pierced with lances. At this moment the British cavalry arrived and the French fled. Latham was later found, so badly wounded that he was unrecognisable, with the colour he had torn from the staff inside his tunic. In spite of the severity of his wounds Lieutenant Latham recovered and was presented with a gold medal by his brother officers.
Many thanks,
Gareth
The medal is to WILLIAM NICHOLS of the 3rd Regiment of foot (THE BUFFS).
It came with a copy of his service papers and medal roll plus an article from the "Sabretche Magazine" about the 3rd Regiment of Foot in Australia in which there is a write up on William Nichols.
The medal is a three bar clasp example even though on his service record it shows that he was possibly entitled to another three. I was wondering is this a common occurrence with the M.G.S. medal ?
On enlistment William Nichols was 5ft 5" with hazel brown eyes and brown hair and his occupation was listed as a weaver from Mohill in County Leitrim. He enlisted in the Regiment at Roscrea in Limerick, on the 19th of June 1805 at the age of eighteen.
His service for pension at the date of discharge, amounted to 32 years and 207 days.He had served in the Peninsula from 1808 to 1814 and although his M.G.S.medal only carries the clasps Albuera, Pyrenees and Nivelle, his discharge certificate states, "that he was present at the Douro, Battles of Talavera, Albuera, Orthes, Nive, Nivelle, Ronces Valles, Toulouse, near Pampeluna, at Plattensburgh in North America".
At discharge he was recorded as being "47 Years of age Grey hair, hazel eyes, fair complexion".His character had been "very good" and he was discharged "On the Modified rate of pension".
Nichols indicated that he intended to reside at Mohill after discharge. The award of the M.G.S. medal to Nichols indicates that he was still alive in 1847, then aged 57, a fair age for an old soldier with his length of service.
During his service of 32 years he had served in Europe, North America, Australia, and finally India before being discharged. A well travelled veteran!
The famous action for the Regiment was at the battle of Albuera.
On 16 May 1811 the 3rd of Foot (The Buffs) were ordered to capture a hill at Albuera from the French. Unable to shake off the enemy by fire, they advanced with the bayonet but were suddenly attacked in the rear by no less than four regiments of French Hussars and Polish Lancers. A dreadful massacre followed. The Buffs fought bravely but the ranks were soon broken by the charging cavalry. Ensign Thomas, who carried the Regimental colour, was called on to surrender after his escort was cut down. Crying “Only with my life” he was mortally wounded and the colour was captured. Ensign Walsh, carrying the King’s colour, was wounded and captured but Lieutenant Latham rushed forward and seized the colour. A French Hussar seized the flag-staff and struck at Latham with his sabre severing one side of his face and nose. Latham still continued to struggle to protect the colour. A second stroke severed his left arm. Dropping his sword, he seized the staff and refused to yield, continuing to fight until he was thrown down, trampled on and pierced with lances. At this moment the British cavalry arrived and the French fled. Latham was later found, so badly wounded that he was unrecognisable, with the colour he had torn from the staff inside his tunic. In spite of the severity of his wounds Lieutenant Latham recovered and was presented with a gold medal by his brother officers.
Many thanks,
Gareth
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