73rd Foot Medal 1818

73^rd Foot Medal, 1818

Description: A circular medal with a ropework rim.

Obverse: The diagonally shaded numerals, 73, within a laurel wreath, with the word MERIT, below.

Reverse: Engraved “CEYLON 7 JULY 1818 LANCE-CORPL. McLAUGHLAN”

Size: 35 mm in diameter.

Metal: Gold

Suspender: 40mm straight gold suspender which is passed through a small ropework loop on the medal.

Ribbon: 37mm royal blue grosgrain

To mark their brave conduct, a special gold medal was awarded to McLaughlan and three privates. This seems to be in addition to the previously mentioned Ceylon 1818 Medal, and was of a completely different design. It was engraved for award to McLaughlan and three privates of the 73^rd , (presumably John Wilson, Christopher Sheppard and William Connor – all four were to receive the Ceylon 1818 Medal in silver,) This was an extremely rare honour at that time. Sadly all four intended recipients died of fever before they could receive their medals and it appears that the medals may have been conveyed to their next-of-kin.

The 73rd Foot Medal (in Gold) that was awarded to McLaughlan is in a private collection in USA, and the above details were provided by the owner, who has stated that this medal is also described in Balmer’s book on Regimental medals.

So who was this McLaughlan?

Private Richard McLaughlan (sometimes spelt Loughlan or Loughlin) was born in Leitrim. He was a volunteer in the Leitrim Militia and a labourer by trade when he enlisted in the 73^rd Regt., on 27.12.1811. He was promoted to Corporal on 17.4.1812 but later reduced to Private on 22.8.1814. He served with the Number 8 (light) Company and transferred to the 1^st Battalion on 4.5.1817. Joined at Trincomalee, Ceylon 29.9.1817. Promoted (for gallantry) to Sergeant 16.6.1818. Died at Badulla 25.5.1819.

McLaughlan had been present with the Battalion at the Battle of Waterloo, but his name was omitted from the Adjutant’s roll and a medal denied him. If his conduct at and/or before Waterloo was suspect, his reputation as a soldier was subsequently redeemed by his gallantry in Ceylon. The following is an extract from William Morris’ recollections of service in Ceylon. “The Three Sergeants” 1858.

‘Our detached parties were often in danger of being cut off by the insidious foe. Who, in such cases, inflicted on the unfortunate captives a torture and mutilation too disgusting to mention; and the bare liability of our men to these atrocities, provoked a spirit of retaliation rarely resorted to among civilised nations; and some who, under ordinary circumstance, had not been remarkable for the possession of courage, did here exhibit traits of bravery which elicited commendation from the officers who witnessed them. This was especially the case with a young Irishman, named M’Loughlan, one of our 2^nd Battalion; he was so effeminate in his appearance and manners, and so fastidiously neat and clean in his person and appointments, that he had obtained the nickname “The Lady M’Loughlan.” He was with us when the line of battle was formed on the field of Waterloo, on the 17^th, at night; and two of his comrades being killed by a six-pound shot, sent as a special favour by the enemy’s light artillery with a view to ascertaining the distance, the suddenness of this casualty had such an effect on the nerves of our delicate friend, that he fainted. How he was disposed of that night and the following day, during the battle “this deponent saith not”; but some few days afterwards, he turned up at Brussels, on the sick list.’

‘But in contending against the savage foe, in Ceylon, the fear of having his delicate form mutilated brought out the latent courage of our young hero in such a striking and effective manner, that the General, who witnessed his bravery, instantly promoted him to the rank of Sergeant; and gave orders that he should not be reduced from that rank except by sentence of a garrison court-martial; and from that time there was an evident improvement in his conduct as a soldier, and he strove to keep up the prestige he had acquired for his bravery.’