Description
Military General Service Medal 1793-1814, 4 clasps, Albuhera, Vittoria, Orthes, Toulouse, Thomas Handock, 13th Light Dragoons.
Officially Impressed: “Thomas Handcock, 13th Light Dragoons.”
Confirmed on the medal roll, which notes he served in the Peninsular under “Captain Gubbins”.
Also fought at the Battle of Waterloo, noted on the medal roll as “Thos Hancock”.
Notably his Commanding Officer Captain James Gubbins, fought through the Peninsular War and at Waterloo, where he was killed in action early into the battle by a cannon shot striking him in the head.
Also of interest is that Gubbins kept a personal diary where he recalls the war.
Excellent preserved condition, with long original piece of silk ribbon, he died around the time of issue of the medal.
Thomas Handock or Hancock was born during 1777, in the village and parish of “Box” in Wiltshire, these days it is within the “Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty” in Wiltshire, England, about 3 miles west of Corsham and 5 miles northeast of Bath.
He later died, at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, as an “In-Pensioner” on 29th August 1848, not long after the medal would have been issued.
Thomas enlisted at Tonbridge, Wilsts for service on 29th April 1809 aged 18.
He went on to see long service from 25th March 1809 – 24th August 1822 then from 25th August 1822 – 16th December 1823.
Including his 2 years increased pension for his service at Waterloo, he saw 18 years 126 days service in total.
Of which 3 years 73 days were spent in the “East or West Indies” we believe they were in India at the time.
His discharge was eventually for “a diseased elbow joint and attacked of rheumatism in India”.
His overall conduct was stated to be: “Good”.
He was also present in Manchester after the war according to the muster rolls around June to September of 1818, at the time Manchester Barracks was frequently mobilised to handle the rioting at the time, which culminated in the Peterloo Massacre on 16th August 1819 involving their counterparts 15th King’s Light Dragoons.
PENINSULAR WAR AND WATERLOO
A splendid summary of the 13th Light Dragoons through the Peninsular War and Waterloo can be read at Britishempire.co.uk’s page for the 13th Light Dragoons:
https://www.britishempire.co.uk/forces/armyunits/britishcavalry/13thltdragoons1778.htm
Thomas saw service in at least 4 major battles of the Peninsular Wars:
ALBUHERA – 16th MAY 1811
At Albuhera, aka Albuera, the regiment formed part of Beresford’s Allied-Spanish Army. The French army was under command of Marshal Jean-de-Dieu Soult, the Duc de Dalmatie was attempting to relieve the French garrison of the border fortress of Badajoz, after bloody and fierce fighting, and the steadfastness of the British infantry, helped the allies carry the day. The regiment was at first un-brigaded, formed part of the cavalry force commanded initially by Brigadier Robert Ballard Long and, later in the battle, by Major General Sir William Lumley.
INBETWEEN
Later that year the 13th Light Dragoons fought in a famous, yet unclasped action “Battle of Arroyo dos Molinos” in October 1811 under command of Roland Hill (Where he would be made a Knight of the Bath) and then also at the “Combat of Navas de Membrillo” during December 1811, where the French infantry stood strong against the British Cavalry, Historian Ian Fletcher wrote about it as “One of the more disappointing cavalry episodes in the Peninsula”.
Captain Gubbins gives an account of the Battle of Arroyo dos Molinos, as Thomas Handcock was a member of his company he was likely present.
https://www.britishempire.co.uk/forces/armyunits/britishcavalry/13thltdragoonsarroyo.htm
VITTORIA – 21st June 1813
ORTHES – 27th February 1814
TOULOUSE – 10th April 1814
After the Peninsular War concluded, he would return to the fighting at Waterloo to put an end to Napoleon Bonaparte.
He took part in the Battle with the 13th Light Dragoons on 18th June 1815.
At Waterloo, the regiment was commanded by Lieut – Colonel Shapland Boyse forming part of the 7th Cavalry Brigade, serving in action attached to the 5th Cavalry Brigade.
During the battle the 13th L.D. charged repeatedly during the day and completely routed a square of French infantry.
An officer of the 13th later wrote:
“Our last and most brilliant charge, was at the moment that Lord Hill, perceiving the movement of the Prussian army, and finding the French Imperial Guard on the point of forcing a part of the British position, cried out, – “Drive them back, 13th!” such an order from such a man, could not be misconstrued, and it was punctually obeyed.”
