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

The M.G.S. pair to Gunner Frederick Zingreve, King’s German Artillery, awarded the Guelphic Medal for gallantry at Talavera in 1809

Military General Service 1793-1814, 5 clasps, Talavera, Albuhera, Badajoz, Vittoria, Pyrenees (Fredk. Zingreve, Gunr. Arty. K.G.L.); Hannoverian Medal for Volunteers of the K.G.L. 1814, good very fine (2) £800-1000

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.

View
Collection

Ex Fowler Collection 1919.

Frederick Zingreve was awarded the Guelphic Medal in the 22 October 1843 List:

‘At Talavera Sergeant Bostelmann with four gunners and four artificers was entrusted with the supply of the Battery from the ammunition waggons in its rear. The enemy’s bombs had set fire to the dry heath and the flames spreading, Sergeant Bostelmann was constantly obliged to change the position of the waggons, in order to keep them away from the burning heath. Just as four full limbers had been sent off to the Battery, the enemy directing their fire upon the ammunition park, set the whole space between and around the waggons in flames. Two waggons, the limbers of which had not yet been sent off, could be immediately removed, and they reached the high road in safety; but the empty limbers of the remaining four not having yet returned from the Battery, the danger became imminent, and the quick explosion of these waggons appeared inevitable.

Bostelmann, well aware of what was to be apprehended, but at the same time considering that the loss of the ammunition might have a material effect on the result of the battle, as the battery to which it belonged was posted on the key of the allied position, against which the enemy’s main efforts were directed, determined to attempt the preservation of the waggons, regardless of the personal danger with which the effort would evidently be attended. Of his assistants, the four gunners only were available, the artificers having run away; and with the aid of these four men, Luttermann, Zingreve, Warnecke and Lind, the gallant Sergeant succeeded in removing the heavily loaded ammunition waggons through the burning heath, and placing them on a spat in the rear, which a little trench had preserved from the flames. Here they awaited the empty limbers, which, at length arriving, enabled them to remove the waggons to the high road in safety.

This important service of the Sergeant and gunners met with a deserved acknowledgement from Major Hartmann, who called them forward and publicly expressed to them that approbation which their spirited conduct so well merited. Bostelmann was afterwards rewarded with a commission.’ (Ref Von Wissel p226, Beamish Vol 1 p218)

Frederick Zingreve served in the 2nd Foot Battery at the Battle of Talavera. He had transferred to the 1st Foot Battery by 1815 and was not therefore present at Waterloo. He later became a Sergeant. Of the four gunners, only Zingreve claimed the Guelphic Medal, and he did not do so until 1843, by which time the rules had been amended so as to allow deeds before 1812 to be included. The other gunners may have died before this change was made. The Royal Edict of 30 August 1839 amended the rules and Major General Von Rettberg was able to provide additional evidence of Gunner Zingreve’s exemplary conduct.