Beschreibung:

A THREE BAR MGS TO AN OFFICER IN THE 12th Lt DRAGOONS. A three bar Military General Service medal in unworn condition, correctly named to Lt E Penfold 12th Lt Dragoons. Confirmed on the roll as entitled to the medal with the clasps Nive-Nivelle and Vittoria. It was under the command of Sir James Stewart Bt, that his high principles and stringent desire to have only the best officers allowed into the Regiment. He required to know all details including Clubs and Lineage, before acceptance. Himself in debt for £4000 from the re-provisioning of his troops and horses, on return from the Egypt Campaign was taken in his stride. He was much a respected commanding officer, from his own words and actions. 'I look upon Officers as the main spring of the army and they should be formed out of the best and purest metal.' The Regimental History is full of the details to which he went, to only allow competent officers in his Regiment. In 1909 the Regiment had not seen active service for some time. They took part in the ill fated Walcheren expedition, though the Regiment never actually landed. Disease and quarrels between senior officers only put paid to the success of the attack. Then the Regiment was placed under the command of Lt Col the Hon Frederic Ponsonby, son of the Earl of Bessborough. Considered the 'beau ideal' of a Cavalry commander, his four years of service with the 12 Lt Dragoons were considered the most brilliant in their history. In 1813 on June 21st Wellington attacked at the Vittoria River, an attack by the 16th and 12th Lancers became a debacle. Ponsonby calmly walked his horse into the Melee, reforming the line. The attacked and drove back the French Cavalry, colliding them with their own Infantry. It was in this charge that Cornet Hammond was killed. Crossing into France was a scene of celebrations, Cpt's Andrews and Vandeluer had themselves rowed across to be the first British invaders. The 12th Dragoons in Hays column crossed into France in October 1813. On the 12th November they broke across the Nivelle, to capture a bridge that had been already blown up. Then onto the River Nive where they rode up almost to the walls of Bayonne. After a hard winter in February 1814 they saw their last minor action after entering Bordeaux to a rapturous welcome. It was against French Infantry at Etoliers, that they finished the campaign. Through the Peninsula the 12th never lost a piquet or patrol to capture, not a man deserted or tried by Court Martial. High praise indeed and such a magnificent record of service.. Edward Penfold was a Lt by purchase in 1812 having entered the Army as a Cornet 29/8/1811. without purchase. Put on Half Pay by reduction in the Regt in 1814. For many years after the reduction of the 12 Light Dragoons I fell anxiously desirious of being recalled to active service at the period when I possessed a strong constitution, but so much time has elapsed that my desire to resume the duties of a Subaltern, has for obvious reasons become not desirable. Edwin Stacey 1794-1860 married Maria Penfold 1799-1885 (Edwards sister). Their daughter was Camelia Sophia Stacey 1822-1905. Edward Penfold married in June 1822, residing at Tiverton Devon. See Illustration