Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Military General Service 1793-1814, 1 clasp, Busaco (R. Harper, 5th Foot) minor edge bruising and contact marks, very fine £1000-1200

Ex Chadwick Collection 1912; Muirhead Collection 1950; Phillips Collection 1965.

Robert Harper was born in Suffolk. Entering the Army at the age of 19 years, he served in the 22nd Light Dragoons, October 1808-October 1812 and the 5th Foot, March 1812-February 1814, after which he served two years with the Royal Veterans Battalion. Harper served with the 5th Foot at the battle of Buscao, 27 September 1810. He was again in action at Almeida, 3 May 1811 and was wounded, suffering a gunshot wound to his left ankle joint. His wound left him lame and as a consequence he was discharged from active service on 12 July 1814. With copied (indistinct) service papers and roll extracts.