Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Colour Serjeant W. Beckham, Scots Fusilier Guards

Military General Service 1793-1814, 2 clasps, Vittoria, Nive (W. Beckham, Serjt., 3rd Foot Gds.) clasps slightly bent, with silver brooch bar; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 1st issue, large letter reverse, edge dated (W. Beckham, Colour Serjt., Scots Fus. Guards. 1842) with replacement silver ring and straight bar suspension, this latter inscribed, ‘Peninsula’, with silver brooch bar, some edge bruising and contact marks, very fine (2) £1,200-£1,500

William Beckham was born in the Parish of St Michael at Plea, Norfolk, circa 1794, and was a silk weaver prior to enlisting into the 3rd Foot Guards on 3 May 1812, a volunteer from the East Norfolk Militia, aged 18 years. He was discharged as a Colour-Sergeant in London on 24 May 1842, aged 48 years. His discharge papers state that he served ‘at Vittoria and other actions in the Peninsula, 2 years, viz 1812 to 1814,’ and ‘in Portugal one year & a quarter, viz 1827 & 1828.’ On the second occasion Beckham was part of the force sent under Sir William Clinton to Lisbon to protect British interests in Portugal and forestall any hint of foreign interference from Spain or Portugal. William Beckham died as a Chelsea out-pensioner at Norwich on 21 March 1867, aged 73 years. Sold with copied discharge papers and other research.