Full medal write up
MILITARY GENERAL SERVICE 1793, CLASP MARTINIQUE ‘EDWD. MARA, 8TH FOOT’
Edward Mara, a 22 year old weaver from Robert’s Cove, Cork, enlisted into the 8th Foot at Cork on 29 August 1804. He would serve in the West Indies with his regiment in 1808, taking part in the landings and capture of Martinique in January/February 1809, before being posted to Halifax, Nova Scotia several months later.
During the 1812 War against America, Private Mara, having been posted from 1 Company in October 1812, was serving with 4 Company, which was one of the 5 companies of the 8th stationed at Fort George in Upper Canada when the Americans attacked on 27th May 1813. The battle, which was an American victory, was a particularly severe one for the 8th foot, during which they suffered the brunt of the casualties, or approximately 50% of the near 500 Officers and men from the Regiment present. Private Mara was one of the casualties, his service papers noting he was:
‘wounded by a musket shot under the right shoulder arm at Fort George Upper Canada on the 27th May 1813’
Of the 92 NCO’s/Men present in Private Mara’s 4 Company, casualties were particularly heavy during the battle, with 10 killed and 33 taken prisoner. Only 5 Company suffering more with 6 killed and 45 taken prisoner.
Despite his wound, musters show Mara remaining on duty, or at least his wounds did not require long hospitalisation, though in the October 1813 muster, he is listed as ‘Sick at York’. Back on duty the following month, Mara has no additional notes in the musters, bar being at Fort George in July 1813 and ‘On Command Fort George’ in October 1814. As such, Mara’s movements would have been that of his Regiment post 27 May 1813 until 1815. During this period, the 1st Battalion, 8th Foot were involved in a great number of actions and battles, including some of the hardest fought of the war at Stoney Creek, Chippawa, Lundy’s Lane and Fort erie. A list of the largest battles they participated in is as follows; detachments were involved in others………………….
Condition GVF, minor wear. Sold with copy service papers and muster extracts. Digital copies of Mara’s musters 1811-1815 and other research, including the Regimental history, can be emailed to buyer. A fine and scarce 1812 War casualty medal.