Breast Badge, 34 mm., GOLD, the obverse bearing the allegory of the sitting Britannia on polished ground, the reverse with the engraved inscription “PYRENEES” within laurel wreath, named to the rim “MAJOR MARTIN LEGGATT, 1st. Bn. 36th. FOOT”, the medal’s faces are within the original, slightly convex, glass lunettes; original suspension and gold bar “TOULOUSE”, mounted to the original ribbon, also fitted with British-style, gold buckle, in original leather covered, wooden case of issue by “Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, London”.
An extremely rare medal, awarded to one of the Field Commanders involved in the fiercest phases of the battle for Toulouse, thus the bestowal of this precious decoration, excellent condition. note: Lieutenant-Colonel Martin Leggatt (died in 1830), of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, joined the 50th (West Kent) Foot as a Captain on 23 May 1805. In 1808 he travelled with his regiment to Gibraltar and then to Cadiz in May, before arriving in Portugal in July. During these early stages of the Peninsular War he took part in numerous engagements against the opposing French forces and travelled to Figueras, Obidos, Rolica, Vimeiro, Monte Sano, Villa Franca and Santarem. He also took part in in the hard-fought battle of Salamanca and during the subsequent rearguard action against Marshal Soult’s harrying French forces during the retreat to Coruna under the command of Lieutenant-General Sir John Moore, who was mortally wounded during the last of the fighting. Major Leggatt joined the 1st Battalion of the 36th Foot in July 1813, travelling to Falgosa de Medelina, Vittoria and Pamplona – at the latter of which the 36th saw its first real action against the opposing French forces. It was at the Battle of Sorauren (also called the Battle of the Pyrenees), however, on 30 July, that Leggatt himself assumed command of the Battalion as his senior officer Lieutenant-Colonel Ward proceeded with Captain Campbell’s Light Company. During the house-to-house fighting the British gained the upper hand and by 2.00 pm Marshal Soult’s forces were defeated. For this, Ward, Campbell and Leggatt each received a gold medal for the ‘Pyrenees’ from the Prince Regent (as stated in Cannon’s
‘Regimental History of the 36th Foot’).
After this battle, the 36th took part in the small engagement at Urdaz on 7 October, then as
part of the 6th Division they took part in storming the main breastwork at Nivelle on 10 November. They proceeded to Nive, Bayonne, and then to Orthes, where another heavy defeat was inflicted upon the French. Marshall Soult retreated to a final stronghold at Toulouse, where the British forces surrounded and then attacked the fortified city on 10 April 1814. It was the 36th Foot who led the attack of the 6th Division, commanded by Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Clinton. It captured the ‘Mont Blanc’ area on the enemy’s right flank, turning it with great success and allowing the enemy’s redoubts and positions to be captured - but at significant cost. During the fighting, Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Cross, the commanding officer of the 36th, was seriously wounded and was taken from the field, after which the battalion’s command devolved upon Major Leggatt, who pressed home the attack and helped to carry the day. The 36th bore the brunt of the British losses, and duly received special thanks in Wellington’s subsequent despatch. For his role in command of the 36th, Leggatt would receive the bar ‘Toulouse’ for his earlier gold medal.
Major Leggatt was given the title of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel on 21 June 1817, and appears to have retired to half-pay in 1821. On 14 May 1829 he married Elizabeth Grisdale, daughter of the Reverend B. Grisdale, Rector of Withington and Vicar of Chedworth, Gloucestershire. He died on 3 August 1830 at Charlton Kings, near Cheltenham. I RR!