An important Peninsula and Waterloo pair awarded to Principal Veterinary Surgeon Frederick Cherry, late 11th Light Dragoons and Royal Waggon Train

Military General Service 1793-1814, 3 clasps, Corunna, Salamanca, Vittoria (Vety. Surgn. R.W.T.); Waterloo 1815 (Vet. Surg., Royal Waggon Train) fitted with original steel clip and ring suspension, some minor surface nicks, otherwise virtually mint state and pleasantly toned (2) £3400-3800

Frederick Clifford Cherry was originally commissioned in the 11th Ligt Dragoons in February 1804, and was appointed Veterinary Surgeon to the Royal Waggon Train on 16 July 1807. The Veterinary Service of the Army was still very much in its formative years, the first Veterinary Surgeon having been appointed as recently as June 1796. In August of that same year, Professor Coleman of the Veterinary College, was appointed Principal Veterinary Surgeon to the Cavalry, and Senior Veterinary Surgeon to the Ordnance, retaining his position at the College.

Frederick Cherry served under Sir John Moore in Spain, and was present during the retreat to Corunna. He was next present in the disastrous Walcheren Expedition, before returning to the Peninsula where he was present at the battles of Salamanca and Vittoria. He was also present with the detachment of the Royal Waggon Train at the battle of Waterloo in June 1815. In September 1819, he was placed on the half pay of the Army but, on 17 September 1839, on the death of Professor Coleman, Frederick Cherry was appointed Principal Veterinary Surgeon, the first active serviceman to hold this important position. He died after a long and distinguished career on 11 July 1854.