*The M.G.S. 3-Clasp and Portuguese Bronze Commemorative Medal for Busaco awarded to Major Thomas Ball, 34th (Cumberland) Foot, in a superb framed armorial display case with the recipient’s ornate silver epaulettes. Serving as a Lieutenant in the Peninsula, he took part in several battles and actions, being first wounded in the head on 25 June 1813 at Vittoria, and then being severely wounded in the left leg at the Maya Pass in the Pyrenees on 7 July 1813, comprising: Military General Service, 1793-1814, 3 clasps, Busaco, Albuhera, Vittoria (Thos Ball, Lieut 34th Foot.); Portugal, Commemorative Medal, 1873, in bronze, 59mm width, to the British Army for the Peninsular War of 1808-1818, commemorating the erection of the Busaco memorial obelisk dated 1873; Set within a glazed, purple velvet-lined display case in the shape of an armorial shield, with lock and key, with two silver, leather-backed epaulettes with ornate facing lion’s heads, unmarked, each of 18cm length; The first slightly polished, toned, good very fine and lustrous, the second extremely fine, epaulettes in remarkably good condition, slight wear and toning, minor dents to one (4). Major Thomas Gerard Ball was born on 24 January 1791 at Chester, and at the age of sixteen was appointed Ensign with the 34th Foot on 17 September, 1807. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 1 December 1808, and as ‘A History of The Peninsular War, Volume VIII’ by Hall states, he served in Spain and was present at the following battles and engagements: ‘27 Sept. 1810 – Busaco… 16th May 1811, Albuera…Octr. 1811, Arrozo de Molinas… 19th May 1812, Almaraz… 25th June 1813, Vittoria… 5th & 7th July 1813, Maya… May 1811 [sic], Siege of Badajoz.’ He was wounded twice in action, being wounded in the head on 25 June 1813 at Vittoria, and then being severely wounded in the left leg at the Maya Pass in the Pyrenees on 7 July 1813, both of which were recorded in the London Gazette, and for which he received a year’s pay. He was promoted to Captain on 7 April 1814, then transferred as Captain to the 8t Foot on 24 December 1817, returning again to the 34th Foot, this time as Major, on 24 June 1824. He was married to Elizabeth Massy on 14 November 1829.

Estimate: GBP 2000 - 3000