Help please, with Translation of Napoleonic Officer Career Record.

[ALAMO2008]

Am trying to Research the Military Career of a Major Gen Lewis Davies
 of 36th Foot (Herefordshire Regt)
Have found this but don't understand all the abbreviations.
Help Please ?

[MaxD]

Major 36th Foot 14 Jun 1800, Brevet Lieutenant Colonel 25 April 1808, Lieutenant Colonel 2 Jan 1812.

Pa is the Peninsular War with two sets of dates. The (unofficial) abbreviations are for engagements therein – I think if you check out Wiki and the 36th history  they will make sense –examples Sal – Salamanca, Cor – Corunna, Burg -  Burgo

Other places can be found in the history of the regiment.  GM Sal may be a medal at Salamanca (not the George Medal) Edit - (Army) Gold Medal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_Gold_Medal

MaxD

[ALAMO2008]

Thanks MaxD
your help and advice has given me some pointers to work with,
especially the Gold Medal.
Found his 1828 Obituary in The Gentleman's Magazine
He joined the 31st Foot in 1794 as an Ensign served in Flanders
In West Indies 1795/6
Made Capt wounded at Capture of St.Lucia 1796 in the West Indies
 then at Invasion of Helder Netherlands in 1799        This helps with translation of Above :-
Then made Major 36th Foot June 1800
Involved in Invasion of Hanover 1805
and Capture of Cape Town 1806
also in Portugal Aug 1808 for Battles of  Indented Rolica and Corunna and Vimeiro
Can't make out abbrev. after Aug 08 looks like "Lo San '09" need to find actions May12 to July13 that year or are they years not days dates ?
Then at Walcheren, Netherlands Aug 1809
Regt went back to Lisbon March 1811
Need to find out what "Sge" is between Corunna and Salamanca
I know he was wounded at Salamanca in 1812
Retired on Half Pay in 1814
But somehow he got promoted to Col. in 1814
and Maj Gen in 1815 a rank you had to be at least to get
The Companion of the Order of Bath which he got later that year.
He died in 1828 having just built his new home by the sea which I now live in.
Thanks for you help.
Alamo2008

[MaxD]

Looks like you've got him to rights!

Sge will be siege, there were a number you just need to do what you've already done and date the entry.  https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=siege+in+the+peninsular+war&rlz=1C1CHBF_enGB703GB703&oq=siege+in+the+peninsular+war&aqs=chrome..69i57.8070j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

MaxD

[GrahamSimons]

Retired on Half Pay in 1814
But somehow he got promoted to Col. in 1814
and Maj Gen in 1815 a rank you had to be at least to get
The Companion of the Order of Bath which he got later that year.

The army promotions worked rather differently then. Once you had got far enough up the ladder, promotions then became automatic even after you had retired.

[MaxD]

You might wish to read the histories of the 31st and the 36th here:
https://archive.org/details/cihm_48353
https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.278813

MaxD

[ALAMO2008]

Major 36th Foot 14 Jun 1800, Brevet Lieutenant Colonel 25 April 1808, Lieutenant Colonel 2 Jan 1812.

Pa is the Peninsular War with two sets of dates. The (unofficial) abbreviations are for engagements therein – I think if you check out Wiki and the 36th history  they will make sense –examples Sal – Salamanca, Cor – Corunna, Burg -  Burgo

Other places can be found in the history of the regiment.  GM Sal may be a medal at Salamanca (not the George Medal) Edit - (Army) Gold Medal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_Gold_Medal

MaxD

Spot On Max D - Found GM entry for Salamanca

[Maiden Stone]

Might the reason that he retired on half-pay in 1814 was that the war ended. Then  Napoleon escaped from Elba and it started again.

[ALAMO2008]

You might wish to read the histories of the 31st and the 36th here:
https://archive.org/details/cihm_48353
https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.278813

MaxD

Thanks for these Links MaxD you're a Star !

The History of the 36thRegt actually mentions him twice and changes perception of his later life.
It has often been reported he was wounded at Salamanca and presumed that's why he came back on half pay.
However, page 82 states :-
 "  1812  Lieut- Colonel Davies obtained the medal issued for the Victory gained at Salamanca; and the THIRTY -SIXTH subsequently received the Royal Authority to bear the word "SALAMANCA" on the regimental colour and appointments, in commemoration of the gallantry displayed in the battle."

That Battle was 22nd July 1812
on 23rd the Battalion was employed in pursuit of the enemy by the route of Alba de Tormes and in August at Cuellar towards the end of the month it marched again and encamped before Burgos with Marquis Wellington. The battalion took an active share of all operations 19th Sept to 21st Oct 1812 the 36th during the Siege had 7 Rank & File Killed and 11 Wounded after this most harassing retreat, rendered so by the severity of the weather and the dreadful state of the roads, as well as by numerous and active-pursuing enemy, the battalion, early in December reached Falgosa de Medelina back in Portugal, where it halted for several weeks.
Lower down same page :-
"1813 - In February 1813 the Battalion marched from Falgosa de Medelina.
There Lt. Col. Davies  in consequence of ill- health left the corps for England and command devolved to Brev Lt Col John Ward"

Need to have that Framed along with a Colour Picture of the Medal and the 36th Colours

Thanks again MaxD you knowledge is outstanding.