88th Regiment Order of Merit 1818, 1st Class awarded to Private Edward Friell for participation in 12 Peninsular War actions

The 88th Regiment (Connaught Rangers) awarded three classes of Regimental Orders of Merit to their other ranks for participation in important actions during the Peninsular War (1808-1814). Friell served in 12 actions including Talavera, Salamanca and Badajoz.

At this time there were no campaign medals for other ranks, whereas officers would be awarded the Army Gold Medal or Army Gold Cross. The 88th rectified this deficit in official medals to their personnel with their Regimental Orders of Merit.