An Important Collection of Medals to The King's German Legion, the Property of a Gentleman

Guelphic Medal for Bravery 1815 (Fried Wildhagen, vorm Bombardier beim Art. Regt. K.D.L.) contact marks, therefore nearly very fine £1500-2000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, An Important Collection of Medals to The King's German Legion, the Property of a Gentleman.

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Frederick Wildhagen served with the 4th Foot Company and was awarded the Guelphic Medal in the 1821 List:

‘At Orthes on 27 February 1814, during the pursuit, he unlimbered his 9-pr gun quite alone, so that it was quickly ready to fire. His zeal caused him to suffer an injury, without becoming unfit for duty, for which he received a pension. In the battle of Toulouse he took over from his mortally wounded detachment commander [Lieutenant Blumenbach] immediately and in the evening he and Gunner Bohle were praised and promoted.’ (Ref Von Wissel p90)

In the closing stages of the battle of Toulouse, the battery of the 6th division was ordered to the support of General Pack’s brigade, but the horses were so unequal to the work that it fell upon the German battery of the 4th division. Two guns were accordingly ordered forward under Lieutenant Blumenbach, and this brave and talented young officer was receiving instructions from Captain Daniel as to the position which he was to take up, when a cannon shot felled him to the earth. This was one of the last shots fired by the French before they abandoned their positions and took shelter in the city.

Frederick Wildhagen was pensioned for his injuries at Orthes. He is not shown on either the Waterloo or M.G.S. medal rolls and may well have taken his discharge in 1814.