Full medal write up
MILITARY GENERAL SERVICE 1793, 6 CLASPS, BUSACO, SALAMANCA, VITTORIA, PYRENEES, ORTHES, TOULOUSE ‘CHAS. TANSEY, 27TH. FOOT’
Charles Tansey was born in Sligo and attested for the 27th (inniskilling) Regiment of Foot in May 1807. He served with the 3rd Battalion in the Peninsula and was severely wounded before Badajoz. Returning to his regiment, he served in the peninsular for the duration of the war.
His service papers also confirm he serviced in North America during the 1812 war, the 27th taking part in the battle of Plattsburgh in September 1814. As part of General Robinson’s 1st Brigade of Peninsula veterans, the 27th successfully forced the Saranac prior to the assault on Plattsburgh until ordered to withdraw by Prevost; much to the disgust of Robinson and the other three brigade commanders who considered the Army capable of the assault without Naval support.
It must be noted that being at Badajoz (or being wounded there) did not always qualify a soldier for the Badajoz clasp. This clasp was given to those who served at the 3rd siege and successful storming of the place 16 March – 6 April 1812. For Tansey, the original medal roll (copy included) shows he applied for the Badajoz clasp and it was crossed out with a note ‘Sick absent’ despite his papers noting multiple times that he was wounded at Badajoz. The answer almost certainly lies in the fact that those who served at the disastrous sieges of 1811 were not entitled to the clasp but the 3/27th served at both the 1st and 3rd siege. During the first siege, the battalion were involved in the general digging and guard duties. During this time many small sorties were made from Badajoz resulting in many small skirmishes, the 3/27th loosing numerous Officers and men killed and wounded. When the French mounted the great sortie from the city on 10 May 1811, the 3/27th were heavily engaged and suffered a large number of killed and wounded. It is likely Tansey was still suffering from his wounds received during the second siege, hence being noted as ‘Sick absent’ and thus correctly not being awarded the clasp.
On his discharge from the army, on 15 March 1823, Captain MacLean wrote the following in his service papers:
“I have known Private Charles Tansey of the 27th Regt nearly nine years in the Corps and I have always considered him a very good soldier, he received a severe wound in the Peninsular and he was with the Regt in North America”.
1823 G.H. admission book notes; ‘wound received in the leg at the Siege of Badajoz’.
Tansey died in West London on 17 October 1858.
Condition GVF. Clasp carriage altered with solid backplate affixed to the rear of the clasp straps, light surface marks and minor EK’s. Sold with copied medal roll, service papers and other research.