Maida Gold Medal 1806

From a collection of orders and medals awarded to General Sir Galbraith Lowry Cole (1772-1842).

On 4 July 1806 a small but significant battle was fought against the French near the village of Maida. Sir John Stuart's forces, numbering about 4,500, defeated Marshal Reynier's force of more than 6,000. French casualties were heavy, estimated to be in excess of 2,000, while those of the British were limited to less than 400. The Battle of Maida was the British Army's first victory since the beginning of the French Revolution on mainland Europe. It shattered Napoleon's aura of invincibility, created by his outstanding victories such as Marengo and Austerlitz. As well as eliminating the immediate threat to Sicily, it also proved to the Duke of Wellington, who received a report on the battle, that British lines could beat French columns.

In 1808, King George III ordered a gold medal to be struck to commemorate this notable victory. At least 17 medals were awarded to the high-ranking officers who were present. The National Army Museum's Maida Gold Medal is the one presented to Brigadier-General Sir Galbraith Lowry Cole, who commanded the 1st Brigade at Maida. He subsequently served in the Peninsular War (1808-1814) at Albuhera, Vitoria and Salamanca.