This was a particularly fine and well documented Field Officer's small army gold medal awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel W.L. Clowes, 3rd King's Own Dragoons, who commanded a brigade at the Battle of Salamanca, 22.7.1812.
With striking eye-appeal, the medal is in good very fine condition. It is glazed in lunettes, with its original gold riband buckle, and original riband, housed in a red leather fitted case.
The medal was accompanied by a fine portrait of H.R.H. the Duke of York and Albany, and another of the Duke of Wellington, signed 'Wellington'. Finally, there is a letter from the Commander in Chief to Clowes regarding the award.
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Clowes was born at Broughton Hall, Manchester, in March 1781, and was Commissioned Cornet, 3rd (King's Own) Dragoons, October 1796. Rising through the ranks to Major in April 1809, he was given command of a regiment in 1811.
His troops were inspected by the Duke of Wellington before they embarked upon the Battle of Salamanca. In his records, Clowes notes approvingly that his "men behaved wonderfully sturdy" under heavy fire.
Clowes regiment were instrumental in saving the guns of the third division, which no doubt assisted Wellington in making the battle a British success, with large numbers of the enemy killed or captured.
The beautifully preserved medal, with excellent eye-appeal doubled its estimate to sell for an impressive £32,000 ($51,600) against a £12,000-16,000 listing.
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