Description
Military General Service, 8 bars, Talavera, Busaco, Albuhera, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nive, Orthes, Toulouse, James Rapkins 66th Foot, The Berkshire Regiment.
James Rapkins was born in East Maigne, Hampshire, Hants. He enlisted at the age of 19, for Life, having volunteered from the Royal army of Reserve in to which he enlisted at Petersfield, Hants. He began his service on 24th August 1806.
He spent 17 years with the regiment, fighting many battles during the Peninsular Wars, during which time he was severely wounded in the right knee at the Battle of Talavera on the 28th July 1809, he then spent 1815 to 1821 in St. Helena.
He was then discharged in 1823, from old age and development of Chronic affection of the hip from his service at St. Helena & from his wound received at Talavera, likely causing his marching to be quite impaired.
With full copy service papers.
