Full medal write up
MILITARY GENERAL SERVICE 1793, 7 CLASPS, TALAVERA, BUSACO, FUENTES D’ONOR, CIUDAD RODRIGO, VITTORIA, PYRENEES, ORTHES ‘CHARLES DAWSON, 24TH FOOT.’
Charles Dawson from a Tailor from Drumholm, Donegal, enlisted into the 24th Foot on 27 August 1807 and served at most of the major battles the 24th served at during the peninsular war, from 1809 until 1814. His first major battle was at Talavera, a battle in which his battalion suffered a horrendous 46% casualty rare, only a KGL unit suffering more. As can be seen with the multiple clasps on his medal, Dawson went on to see a great deal of action in the Peninsular and a good resume of the 24th Foot’s service can be found on this excellent website:
Given his service in the peninsular war, Dawson would have served with the 2nd battalion and must have transferred to the 1st battalion in India when the 2nd Battalion was disbanded in late 1814. As such and given he subsequently transferred to the 65th in late 1816, a regiment also based in India, it is more than likely he took part in the Nepaul Campaign of early 1816 with the 1st 24th.
On 20 September 1816, Dawson transferred to the 65th Foot. During his service with the 65th, Dawson would have seen a good deal of action as his regiment was involved the Third Mahratta War (Pindari War) of 1817-19, including the battle of Poona, and the campaign against Kutch. They also played a leading role in the campaigns against the Oman Coastal Pirates in Arabia, 1819-21. Here the 65th and 47th were the only British Regiments present during the campaign of 1819, including the battle of Ras-ul-Khymah. In 1821 campaign, the 65th were the only British regiment present and were conspicuous for the part they played at the action at Beni Boo Ali.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_Gulf_campaign_of_1819
It was at the storming of the hill fort at Boojea (Bhooge) by 2 companies of the 65th, in March 1819 that Private Dawson received both a spear and sabre wound.
Dawson reenlisted into the 22nd Foot for an unlimited period at Bombay, East Indies on 25 June 1822 and aged 39, was discharged, ‘Worn out’, on 12 August 1827.
His service papers note that is conduct had been “Good and appears by the *** from the 65th Regt to have distinguished himself as being a very brave soldier, particularly at Bhooge in Arabia 26th March 1819 where he received spear and sabre wounds in the cheek and back”.
Given his dates of service with the 24th and 65th Regiments, it is most likely that he was additionally entitled to the Army of India Medal with the clasp Poona (65th) and possibly Nepaul (24th). He did not apply for this medal or had died by the time it was announced.
Condition VF. Sold with digital copies of his service record and the histories of the 24th and 65th Regiments.
A really most interesting medal to a soldier with a fine service and noted for his bravery in action.