A Collection of Napoleonic War Medals

Lieutenant and Paymaster Arnold Thompson, 81st Foot, who retired after 43 years service in the Army

Military General Service 1793-1814, 1 clasp, Corunna (A. Thompson, Lieut. 81st Foot) better than very fine £1600-1800

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

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Provenance: Spink 1899; Baldwin, January 1953; Spink, November 2003.

Arnold Thompson was born at Yarmouth, Norfolk, on 11 December 1780, and was appointed an Ensign in the 81st Foot on 6 September 1798, being promoted to Lieutenant on 9 July 1803, and Paymaster on 22 August 1805. According to his statement of service he ‘accompanied the Regiment thro’ all its services - present at various sieges & battles, but not actively engaged being Paymaster of the Regiment’. He served overseas at the Cape of Good Hope, October 1798 to June 1802; Spain, September 1808 to June 1809, including the battle of Corunna; Sicily, June 1809 to June 1812; Spain, June 1812 to May 1814, including the investment of Tarragona; France, May to June 1814; Canada, June 1814 to June 1815; France June 1815 to March 1817; Nova Scotia, April 1821 to August 1826; New Brunswick, August 1826 to November 1829; and Bermuda, November 1829 to December 1829. Thompson was finally placed on half pay on 30 December 1840, after 43 years service in the army, and died at Cheltenham in 1858.

Sold with copied statement of service and other research.