The Collection of Medals formed by the late John Darwent

Waterloo 1815 (Ensign W. M. Mathews, 1st Batt. 4th Reg. Foot) fitted with contemporary silver loop and wide bar suspension, contact marks to obverse, otherwise very fine £1800-2200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals formed by the late John Darwent.

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William McDonald Mathews was born in 1792 and entered the Royal Navy at the age of 14 years as a Midshipman, and in which service he ‘remained nearly seven years (the whole of which period I was actively employed at sea) and quitted it at my own request after having passed the usual examination to qualify for the Rank of Lieutenant.’

Mathews was commissioned as an Ensign in the Stafford Militia on 22 February 1813, becoming Lieutenant on 12 June following. He transferred to the 4th Foot as an Ensign, without purchase, on 25 December 1813, and served with that regiment at Waterloo where he was slightly wounded. He became a Lieutenant on 7 January 1819, and exchanged into the 59th Foot on 22 July 1819, in the same rank. In January 1826, he exchanged to Half Pay in the 62nd Foot, at his own request due to his ‘continued ill health.’ He resided in London and Portsmouth and died on 7 January 1856.