Orders, Decorations and Medals

Military General Service 1793-1814, 1 clasp, Corunna (Henry Thomas, 81st Foot), contact marks and edge bruising, nearly very fine £1000-1200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Brian Kieran Collection.

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Henry Thomas was born in Fishguard, Pembrokeshire and enlisted in the 81st Foot in August 1806, aged 19 years. He subsequently served with the Colours for 31 years, and ‘was present at the Battle of Corunna in 1809, and wounded in the left thigh’ (his discharge papers refer). In addition to his time in the Peninsula, he also served in Bermuda, Holland, the Mediterranean and North America, and he was discharged in June 1837, following a report submitted by an Assistant Surgeon in the 81st in the same month:

‘He has suffered for the last six years from visceral derangement, the remains of ague. For the last two years he has been affected with giddiness and deafness, caused by a blow on the head when in the execution of his duty. He has also suffered from rheumatism in various parts of his body. His complaints are attributable to advanced age and long service, and not to neglect, design or intemperance. He has been a short time in hospital for an inflammation of his right eye during which his conduct has been very good.’