The Simon C. Marriage Collection of Medals to the Artillery

Army L.S. & G.C., W.IV.R. (Quar. M.S. W. Unsworth, Royal Hon. (sic) Artillery.) fitted with steel clip and ring suspension, minor edge bruise, otherwise good very fine £400-£500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Simon C. Marriage Collection of Medals to the Artillery.

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Collection

Glendining’s, March 1988, L.S. & G.C. medal only.

L.S. & G.C. medal signed for by the recipient in 1832. The name, rank and regimental detail occupy so much space that no year of award is shown.

William Unsworth was born in the Parish of Tyldesly, Lancashire, and attested for the Royal Artillery at Bolton on 5 January 1800, aged 17 years. He was appointed Bombardier in March 1808, and subsequently: Corporal in November 1809; Sergeant in May 1813; Sergeant-Major in January 1819; and Quartermaster-Sergeant in March 1822. He served for a total of 32 years 90 days, having deducted one year underage and added two years for Waterloo. During his five years’ service in the Peninsula and at Waterloo, he was present at 13 battles and 17 skirmishes. His papers list the following battles: Busaco, Redinha, Sabugal, Fuentes D’Onor, Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, and Waterloo. Had he lived to claim the M.G.S. medal, he would have had 10 clasps. In addition to the 17 skirmishes also listed, his papers record service at the occupation of Bordeaux, subsequent operations upon the Dordogne, and the investment of the Fortress of Blaize - and that he was wounded twice the same morning at the battle of Nivelle. He was in Ramsay’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, at Waterloo. Quartermaster-Sergeant William Unsworth was discharged on 31 March 1831, his character being described as ‘one who is spoken of in the highest terms for his general good conduct and conspicuous gallantry in the field.’