Orders, Decorations and Medals

Military General Service 1793-1814, 10 clasps, Busaco, Fuentes D’Onor, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Orthes, Toulouse (D. McGuirk, Serjt. 74th Foot) light contact marks and edge bruising, otherwise very fine £2000-2500

Ex Cheylesmore Collection 1930 and Phillips Collection 1965.

Twelve ten-clasp medals to the 74th. One officer and four men received the maximum entitlement of eleven clasps, being present at Nive in addition.

Daniel McGuirk was born in the Parish of Desertlyne, near Moneymore, County Derry, and attested for the 74th Foot at Dublin on 16 September 1809, aged twenty. He was promoted to Corporal in July 1812, and to Sergeant in December 1814. McGuirk ‘served in the Peninsula from 1810 to 1814 and was present at the following actions: Busaco, Fuentes, Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Orthes, Toulouse, Nivelle. Wounded in the right leg at Fuentes D’Onor. One of the Forlorn Hope at the Storming of Ciudad Rodrigo.’ He was discharged to Out Pension on half time in October 1823, returned to full time as a Private in the 3rd Veteran Battalion in December 1823, and was promoted once more to the rank of Sergeant in January 1824. He transferred to the 87th (Royal Irish) Fusiliers in January 1826 and was discharged at Portsmouth on 14 May 1834, intending to reside at Moneymore, County Derry. Sold with copy discharge papers.