Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Field Officer’s Gold Medal for Nivelle to Major Dudley Ackland, 57th Foot, killed in the battle whilst gallantly leading the Light Companies of the Brigade

Field Officer’s Gold Medal 1808-14, for Nivelle (Major Dudley Ackland, 57th Foot) fitted with gold ribbon buckle, extremely fine £8000-10000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Richard Magor Collection of Medals Relating to India and Africa, and other Fine Awards.

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Dudley Ackland was first commissioned as Ensign in the 57th Foot on 5 November 1802; Lieutenant, 3 March 1803; Captain, 8 December 1804; Major, 13 December 1810.

Captain Ackland landed in Portugal with the 57th Foot in July 1809, in command of the Light Company. During the early part of the war in the Peninsula, the regiment, which contained a number of turbulent characters in its ranks, received the nickname of the ‘Steelbacks’, from the amount of flogging administered to these men and the way they bore the punishment; but after Albuhera, Colonel Inglis’ words to his ‘fighting villains’ caused this soubriquet to be replaced by the honourable one of ‘Die Hards.’ Whilst Ackland appears to have been in the Peninsula with the regiment at this period, his presence at the battle of Albuhera is not confirmed.

After leading his Light Company at the battle of Vittoria, Major Ackland had command of all the Light companies of the Brigade at Roncesvalles, in the Pyrenees. On the 25th July 1813, his Light companies, with Morillo’s Spaniards, were guarding the upper pass, when the French came in sight early in the morning, and for several hours fresh columns continued to arrive. At two o’clock they advanced to the attack in overpowering numbers, and quickly driving in the Spanish skirmishers, made a fierce attack on Major Ackland’s Light companies, who, posted in an excellent position on a rocky eminence, made a determined defence and did not retire till their left was turned, and the French skirmishers were actually intermingled with them. They then followed the brigade, which had previously retired, down to the village of Roncesvalles, at the foot of the mountains, being halted by Major-General Byng, who, with tears in his eyes, thanked them for their gallant stand.

Major Dudley Ackland was killed in action at Nivelle on 10 November 1813. ‘The hardest fighting fell to the Light companies of the Brigade, who lost heavily, the captains of all four being severely wounded, and their commander, Major Ackland, of the 57th, killed at their head whilst gallantly leading them on. He was an officer highly thought of, and was much lamented.’