United Kingdom. A Military General Service Medal to Corporal G. McNie, 79th Foot

Instituted June 1 1847 by General Order. In silver, rim impressed G. McNIE, CORPL 79TH FOOT., worn on original ribbon with eight clasps: TOULOUSE, NIVE, NIVELLE, PYRENEES, SALAMANCA, FUENTES D'ONOR, BUSACO, CORUNNA, notable edge knocks, light contact wear, original ribbon shows discolouration and tear above clasps, in very fine condition.

Footnote: George McNie was born in Gergonock, Stirling around 1780. He was employed as a plasterer, and attested for the 79th Foot, 1st Battalion in Edinboro on February 19, 1805, at the age of 24. Corporal McNie was present at the Battle of Waterloo in Captain A. McLean’s Company – Grenadiers.

In July 1808 the 79th Foot was deployed to Portugal for service in the Peninsular War. The regiment took part in the Battle of Corunna in January 1809 and was subsequently evacuated to England. The regiment returned to Portugal in January 1810 and saw action at the Battle of Bussaco in September 1810, the Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro in May 1811 and the Siege of Badajoz in March 1812. It fought at the Battle of Salamanca in July 1812 and took part in the occupation of Madrid in August 1812 and the Siege of Burgos in September 1812. It also saw combat at the Battle of the Pyrenees in July 1813, the Battle of Nivelle in November 1813 and the Battle of the Nive in December 1813 before taking part in the Battle of Toulouse in April 1814.

Following the abdication of Napoleon in April 1814, the regiment moved to Cork, Ireland. However, with the return of Napoleon from exile, the 79th Foot travelled to Belgium in May 1815. The regiment took part in the final battles of the Napoleonic Wars at Quatre Bras and Waterloo in June 1815. Of the 675 men of the regiment who took part in these battles, 103 were killed and a further 353 wounded. The 79th were one of only four regiments specifically mentioned by the Duke of Wellington in his Waterloo dispatch.