Thomas Eccleston - Soldier

The great-great-great-grandfather of the author of this site was Thomas Eccleston, a weaver born (by his version) in 1782 in Mossley, Lancashire. He enlisted on the 30th of January of 1806 in Dublin in the 48th Regiment of Foot. He went onto to serve for 11 years being discharged as unfit for service in 24 January 1817. During his service time he served in the Peninsula Wars in Spain. This is his muster record:

Discharge Record

I certify that Private Thomas Eccleston of the 48^th Regiment and has served in said for nearly 14 years, he has been twice wounded (…) at the battle of Talavera in the arm and at Albuera in the soft thigh – during the whole of his service he conducted himself with the utmost propriety worthy the character of a soldier.

I therefore beg leave to commend him to the Committee of Governors of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.

Geo Druitt

Major 40^th Regiment

The Barracks

July 1817

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The sheet underneath is not very intelligible as it is half covered over.

It says that he was in Captain Walkins Company in the Peninsula. That he has seen him in action and that he is a brave and good soldier.

J Cuthbertson

Lt 48^th Regiment

(Captn Watkins Company) the 9^th?

The Regiment

1st / 48th Foot The (Northamptonshire) Regiment

The Regiments

Known as (nickname)................................................... " The Hero's of Talavera " , Murray's Buck's " ," The Surprisers " ," Lacodemonian's "

Facings............................................................................ BUFF

Braided Lace...................................................................Gold

'This ode was written by J W Croker for the 48th after their heroism at Talavera '

"Now from the summit, at his call,

A gallant legion firm and slow

Advances on victorious Gaul;

Undaunted, tho' their leader's low!

Fixed, as the high and buttressed mound,

That guards some leaguered city round,

They stand unmoved --"

The 48th North Hamptonshire Regiment of Foot, Battle Record of the Peninsular War, Canada and the America's, France at:

Battle of Vimeiro 21/8/1808

Retreat to Corunna & Vigo 16/1/1809

Battle of Talavera -28/6/1809

Battle of Busaco 27/9/1810

Battle of Albuera 16/5/1811

Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo 8/1/1812

Siege of Badajoz 1812

Salamanca 22/6/1812

Battle of Vittoria 21/6/1813

Battles of Nivelle ,Orthes , and Toulouse \ Pyrenees and Southern France 1813-1814

America and Canada 1812-1815

The Regiment was raised in 1741 during the War of Austrian Succession as the 59th of line.

The second Battalion 48th was raised at Manchester as a limited line battalion of existing full service lines, the trek to the Peninsula had began. Both Battalions of the 48th were despatched to this area .

Very few of the original 900 or so troops were to survive this war. Only one Battalion was to eventually return to England, a combination of the 1/48th and the 2/48th. On 10th of April 1814, the 48th regiment fought its last battle in Europe at Toulouse, a battle that need not have been fought, Napoleon had already abdicated on the 6th of April 1814. For the 48th the war was over. Since the regiment entered France they had lost 13 killed and 117 wounded. The regiment retired to Pauillac, it was from here that a battle weary 48th regiment returned to Ireland on the 19th of June 1814.

The 48th regiment fought in several of the American battles but were mainly garrisoned in Southern Ireland. The 48th regiment was not called for battle duty at Waterloo, mainly because of the sadly depleted force they were. In December of 1816 whilst stationed at Naas near Dublin , orders were received for the 48th to embark for New South Wales. One month later Thomas was discharged as unfit for service, ironically not being sent to the Australian colonies, where in 1836 his son would be sent as a convict in 1836.

Thomas had married Susannah Moult in 1808 and thus she was an "army wife".

AWARDS OF THE MILITARY GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL :1793-1814

The award of this medal was authorised in a General Order, 1st June 1847, and was issued in 1848 only to those who applied. The award took place 34 years after the last action it commemorated. Twenty nine clasps or bars were awarded for battles from 1801- 1814.Twenty one clasps were awarded for Peninsular battles engagements.

Three soldiers only from the 48th were awarded 12 clasps, one of whom was Benjamin Hodgkin. Quartermaster Joshua Stubbs, awarded eleven clasps, received the most clasps awarded to the officers.

THE MEDAL The diademed head of Queen Victoria and the legend "VICTORIA REGINA " with the date "1848" Reverse : Queen Victoria , on a dais, about to place a laurel wreath on the head of the Duke of Wellington, kneeling on his left knee. nt. Around the top half of the circumference is the inscription "TO THE BRITISH ARMY". In the exergue are the dates "1793-1814".1.4 inches (36mm) diameter Ribbon:1.25 inch (32mm)wide, crimson in colour with a 1/8 the inch (3mm) wide dark blue border. Suspension : By a plain straight swivelling suspender Naming: Large indented Roman capitals

Clasps were awarded to the 48th for service in the following battles action .

Sources: Pay Muster's of the 48th , PRO England, Reference Books Records of the 48th . Mitchell Library Sydney, Wellington's Military Machine ( Philip J. Haythornthaite) published 1995

The following is a history of many name changes.

1740.....Cochran's Marines

1740.....48th Regiment

1751.....Colonel James Cholmondeley's Regiment of Foot

1782.....48th (Northamptonshire) Regiment of Foot