Napoleonic silk flag for 2nd Royal Veteran Battalion in Lichfield auction

Sale date Monday 24th August

A NAPOLEONIC era silk flag for a British battalion of veterans features in a Lichfield auction later this month.

The Georgian hand-embroidered banner for the 2nd Royal Veteran Battalion, circa 1804 to 1816, goes under the hammer with Richard Winterton Auctioneers at The Lichfield Auction Centre, Fradley Park, on Monday, August 24.

Guided £1,000 to £2,000, the delicate 185cm x 177cm banner was uncovered following a house clearance.

The 2nd Battalion was a British Army unit formed during the Napoleonic Wars made up of army pensioners and invalids handling garrison, depot, and administrative duties, thus freeing active, able-bodied soldiers for frontline combat.

“First raised around 1802 at Plymouth as a royal garrison battalion and renamed a Royal Veteran Battalion in 1804, it disbanded and re-formed eight times in different parts of the country,” said cataloguer Nick Smith.

“The 2nd Battalion also served overseas – in New South Wales, Australia, 1806; Madeira 1809-1814; and Heliogoland – an archipelago in Germany – from 1812-1815."

He added: “Many original veteran battalions were disbanded around 1814 but some units – including the 2nd – were re-raised for brief service during the 1815 Waterloo campaign and the 2nd was finally disbanded in 1816.”

 The catalogue can be viewed online a week before the auction via our Auction Calendar.

Viewing in person at The Lichfield Auction Centre, Wood End Lane, Fradley Park, WS13 8NF, takes place between 10am and 4pm on Friday, August 21, or by prior appointment.

The August 24 auction starts at 9am and people can bid live in the room, go online or get in touch for a pre-arranged telephone bid.

For more information, to arrange a free valuation of all types of antiques, collectables or jewellery, or to enquire about a home visit for large collections or house clearances, email office@richardwinterton.co.uk or call 01543 251081.