Great Britain - 1811

The Allied armies were blockading Almeida and Marshal Masséna was on his way to the relief of he city when he encountered and was defeated by Wellington at Fuentes de Onoro. After the fierce fighting and heavy losses, Masséna began to retreat to Salamanca and ordered the fortress to be blown up. Of the three volunteers who undertook this task, two were captured and shot as spies whilst the other succeeded. The French garrison escaped partially aided by the incompetence of a number of British officers, one of whom later blew out his brains.

   One of a set of medals issued in 1815 (see No. 888).