Peninsula War Medal Roll

[purple frog]

Hi, I have found my gt gt gt gt granddad on the Peninsular Medal Roll with one clasp for Barrosa. I have his discharge docs from Kew so know he was in this battle but don't know what exactly the clasp looks like. Can anyone help? If possible with a picture. Why were they given a clasp?
                       Purple Frog

[neil1821]

Hi Purple Frog,
Just out of interest, what was your 4X g-grandad's name and regiment?

Here's a picture of the MGS medal with the clasp for Barrosa.
The Military General Service Medal was awarded for service in the Napoleonic Wars 1800-1814. 29 different battle or campaign clasps were issued, of which Barrosa was just one. Clasps were issued for participation in these battles. A medal can have anything from one clasp up to 15 clasps (some men participated in many battles through the war).

Neil

[purple frog]

Hi Neil
George Scarf/ Scarfe was in the first regiment of foot guards from 1809 to 1814 and served in Barossa and St Sebastian. Thanks so much for the picture and info.
               Purple frog 

[neil1821]

One thing I forgot to mention.........

The medal was awarded retrospectively in 1847 to veterans who claimed it in that year (hence why Victoria rather than George III on the obverse).

Your George Scarfe was therefore still alive in 1847.

Incidentally, I found him in my copy of the medal roll, but his name is spelled George Scarpe.

Neil

[purple frog]

Hi Neil
 Yes I have George Scarf on the 1851 census as a Chelsea Pensioner so he would have been around to claim it.
 Which copy of the medal roll do you have? I have found him on the Penisular medal roll 1793-1814 on 1837online having got his clasp for Barrosa. Is yours the same one?
                 Purple frog