Lot 3830

Description

48th Foot Regimental Medal 1819 awarded in Australia, in silver (41mm). Inscribed on obverse scroll, 'JOSHa. HOYLE', reverse inscribed with three actions, 'Nivelle, Orthes, Toulouse', fitted with contemporary replacement silver bar suspension (ref. Balmer R370). Very fine and extremely rare.

This medal was awarded whilst the regiment was serving in Australia, 1817-24, and most, if not all, of the known 21 recipients listed by Balmer served in New South Wales. It is the first military medal to have been issued in Australia. There is strong evidence that the medals were engraved by Samuel Clayton, transported to Australia for seven years in 1816 and working as a painter, engraver and silversmith in Sydney as early as January of the following year.