Lot 47
Bulls Troop R.H.A. Peninsular and Waterloo
"Behind The Wire" - Medal and Militaria Sale | M25001
Auction: 17 September 2025 at 14:00 BST
Description
The Military General Service Medal and Waterloo Pair awarded to Serjeant James Livsey, Bull’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery who fought in six engagements during the Peninsular War and at the famous action at Waterloo in support of the Guards Brigade at Hougoumont. Comprising Military General Service Medal, 1793-1814, 6 clasps, Busaco, Fuentes D’Onor, Ciudad Rodrigo, Salamanca, Vittoria, St Sebastain, (J. Livsey, Serjt R.H. Arty.), Waterloo Medal 1815, (Serjeant James Livsey Royal Horse Artillery), MGS, edge bump 6 o’clock, to reverse otherwise very fine, Waterloo, brooch marks to obverse, replacement straight bar suspension, edge bump 6 o’clock, to reverse otherwise very fine (2)
The Battery was formed on 1 February 1805 as I Troop, Royal Horse Artillery at Colchester, Essex. Captain Robert Bull was appointed to command and he took it to the Iberian Peninsula in August 1809 where it served until 1814. It arrived too late for the Battle of Talavera, but thereafter took part in most of Wellington's major actions of the Peninsular War including Busaco (1810), Fuentes de Oñoro (1811), Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, and Burgos (1812), Vitoria, San Sebastián, the Bidassoa and the Nive (1813) and Bayonne (1814).
The Troops most famous action during the Peninsular War occurred at the Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro on 5 May 1811 when it was temporarily under the command of Lieutenant Norman Ramsay. The troop was surrounded by French cavalry and cut off from the main force. With the guns limbered up and swords drawn, they charged through the surprised enemy horsemen thereby saving themselves from being captured.
At Waterloo Armed with six 5+1⁄2-inch howitzers early in the Battle it was ordered to support the garrison at Hougoumont. Firing shrapnel over the heads of friendly troops, in 10 minutes it cleared a nearby wood of French tirailleurs, much to the satisfaction of Wellington and Frazer (commander of the horse artillery). It then took part in the advance to Paris and joined the Army of Occupation.
Confirmed on the MGS Roll with 6 clasps and the Waterloo Medal Roll for Bull’s Troop. Sold with copy MGS and Waterloo Medal Rolls
MGS Ex Glendening’s 1970
