The Collection of Medals formed by the late John Darwent

Military General Service 1793-1814, 1 clasp, Talavera (Benjn. Peate, 31st Foot) very fine £600-700

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

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Benjamin Peate was born at Blackburn, Lancashire, circa 1774, and enlisted into the 31st Foot on 12 December 1806, a calico printer by trade. At the battle of Talavera on 27/28 July 1809, he was recorded as being killed in action but had in fact been taken prisoner by the French. He was discharged at Portsea on 8 February 1815, being ‘nearly blind from opthalmia contracted in Portugal.’ Benjamin Peate was present at the dinner held at the Shelly’s Arms in Preston to commemorate the death of the Duke of Wellington in 1852. He was admitted to the Workhouse in Deepdale Road, Preston, where he died on 21 November 1855, aged 81 years. Sold with copy discharge papers and death certificate.