A Collection of Napoleonic War Medals

Sergeant Samuel Dartch, 28th Foot

Military General Service 1793-1814, 4 clasps, Busaco, Albuhera, Vittoria, Pyrenees (S. Dartch, Serjt. 28th Foot.) light contact marks, otherwise very fine £1500-1700

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Napoleonic War Medals.

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Provenance: Chelsea Military Antiques, September 2006.

Samuel Dartch/Darch was born in the Parish of Crediton, Devon, and served with the Army of Reserves from 12 August 1803 to 24 March 1806. He enlisted for the 28th Foot at Dublin on 4 April 1806, then aged 23 years, for life. He served initially with the 2nd Battalion in the Peninsula, including the battles of Busaco and Albuhera, before transferring to the 1st Battalion in August 1811. He served in Captain William Irving’s Company at Waterloo, that officer being severely wounded in both arms at Quatre Bras. Dartch was discharged at Corfu on 29 September 1825, in consequence of ‘diseased liver and general bad health’. During his total service of 24 years 38 days, which includes 2 years for Waterloo, he served 12 years 40 days in the rank of Corporal, and 6 years 357 days as a Sergeant. His discharge papers were signed by Captain Irving, whose signature clearly reflects the serious nature of his old wounds.

Sold with copied discharge papers.