 Gilt brass gorget, ca. 1770-1795. 11 x 9.5 cm. Body with engraved arms, supporters, GR cipher; regimental badge (crowned united red and white rose within Garter, GR cipher flanking) below; shoulders with trophy of arms above regimental designation ''VII th'' within laurel wreath. Bright and attractive, two splits on shoulders (probably bent in). @ The 7th was raised in 1685 and received its numerical designation in 1751. In the late spring, 1773 the 7th was shipped to Quebec, where it arrived in July. When General Montgomery invaded Canada the 7th opposed the colonial forces at St. Johns and Chambly, where it lost scores of men and surrendered to the Americans. Reconstituted in New York in 1777, the 7th served in New York and Philadelphia 1777-78, being at the Battle of Monmouth Court House (New Jersey) in June of the latter year. After a year in New York, raiding rebel Connecticut towns, the 7th was shipped to Charleston in December, 1779. In January, 1781 the regiment fought against Daniel Morgan's troops at the Battle of Cowpens, a resounding British defeat. In August, 1782 part of the regiment was shipped to New York and then home, leaving parts of its companies in defense of Savannah. A century later, in 1881, the regiment was styled The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). During the First War the regiment served with great bravery and patience at Ypres and on the Somme.
Ex Sotheby's Arms Sale 192 (July 17, 1972, lot 192).
| |
|
