Rare Waterloo medals expected to sell for thousands when they go under the hammer in Shropshire
Two Waterloo medals are expected to fetch thousands of pounds when they go under the hammer in Shropshire in the 200th anniversary year of the famous battle.
The rare medals are in Halls' militaria auction at the Battlefield salerooms in Shrewsbury on Wednesday. A total of 270 lots of militaria, including what Halls' says is its best ever selection of medals, will be sold.
Bidding is expected to rise to around £4,000 for the Waterloo medals, one of which was awarded to a severely wounded officer of the King's German Legion Artillery, Lieutenant Ludwig Heise. The other recipient was Gunner George Sizeland, of the Royal Foot Artillery, who was a labourer from Norfolk.
The medals at auction span from 1815 to the Iraq War.
"We have sold expensive individual medal groups in the past, but this is the best ever selection of medals that we have offered in the same auction," said Derek Ainsworth, Halls' medals specialist.
"The medals have come from collectors and families across Shropshire and Worcestershire."
A medal group including a Distinguished Conduct Medal, awarded to Bombardier Alfred Bentley, of the 75th Battery Royal Field Artillery during the Boer War, is expected to fetch around £4,000.
Bombardier Bentley, who was born in Leeds in 1877, was awarded the DCM for service at the Modder River where he was shot in the face and severely wounded.
He was mentioned in despatches in 1901, re-enlisted in 1914 and was serving in the Canadian Ordnance when he was hit in the face by an aircraft propeller - and complained of dizziness. He continued serving until 1917, re-enlisted in the Canadian Dragoons in 1922, and was discharged in 1931.
"The medals are accompanied by a very interesting and extensive file of research including medical reports, original discharge documents, Canadian documents, copies of his obituary and many photos of him in uniform and with his wife," said Mr Ainsworth.
