The Collection of Napoleonic War Medals formed by the late R.W. Gould, M.B.E.
For his part Davy received high praise from the likes of Lord Castlereagh, the Secretary of State, and others, as evidenced by a letter from Baron de Rothenburg, who naturally wrote in terms of delight: ‘My dear Davy, ‘... You may easily conceive how highly I have been gratified by reading in the papers of your distinguished conduct in the field. The Duke of York spoke to me in high terms of the Battalion, and I must sincerely congratulate you on the honour and glory you have acquired. I always told you that you might depend upon the bravery of my disciples...’
The closing months of 1808 were, however, marred by an incident that caused a dark shadow to fall over the reputation hard gained by the Battalion in Portugal. Subsequent to the Convention of Cintra, whereby the French army was evacuated from Portugal back to France, Major Davy applied to the Commander-in-Chief for permission to enlist in his battalion deserters from the French army, and shortly afterwards some hundred of them were sent to the 5th Battalion of the 60th. Five companies of the Battalion which had been detached for duty under Major Woodgate with General Hope’s Division in the neighbourhood of Elvas, were now detached for duty with Lord Bentinck’s Brigade. It was not unnatural that as soon as the men recruited from Junot’s army got an opportunity they deserted to their old friends, and so Davy was deeply mortified when he announced in a Regimental Order on 13 October 1808, ‘It is with deep concern that the Major discharges a most painful part of his duty - that of announcing to the Battalion that in consequence of the misbehaviour of the five Companies detached, they have been sent back to Lisbon. Under these distressing circumstances the Major calls upon every individual of the Regiment to use his utmost efforts to vindicate and maintain the well-merited reputation that the Battalion has acquired in the field: and doubts not that with the cordial co-operation of the whole they will be able to do away that disgrace which must otherwise for ever reflect upon the character of the Battalion. This order to be read in German.’
Major Davy was ordered to concentrate the whole Battalion in Portugal and himself undertook the task of restoring the efficiency of the Battalion; ‘I shall not lose a moment to effect these objects, but I think one month or at least three weeks will be required’, he advised Brigadier-General Sontag, before the Battalion should again be be sent on active service. Every care was taken by Major Davy for the maintenance of an efficient system of discipline and interior economy. Daily parades in camp for purposes of inspection were ordered whether the Battalion was on the march or halted. Supplies of clothing were, however, evidently inefficient, so much so that Davy found himself obliged to authorise the men to cut away the skirts of their jackets and patch up the upper part.
In May 1809 the issue of the following General Order gave evidence that the confidence of Sir Arthur Wellesley in his Riflemen was in no way diminished by the cloud which had momentarily shadowed the battalion:- ‘The Commander of the Forces recommends the Companies of the 5th Battalion of the 60th Regiment to the particular care and attention of the Gerneral Officers commanding the Brigades of Infantry to which they are attached. They will find them to be most useful, active and brave troops in the field, and that they will add essentially to the strength of the Brigades. Major Davy will continue to superintend the economy and discipline of the whole Battalion, and for this purpose will remain with that part of the Army which will be most convenient to him with that object.’
At the ensuing battle of Talavera, fought over two days and a night, Davy’s riflemen performed with great distinction, six of their officers being wounded, and Davy was mentioned by name in Wellesley’s subsequent despatch. He was promoted to Lieutenant- Colonel in December 1809 and transferred to the 7th Garrison Battalion, but Davy never again went on active service. He was created a Companion of the Bath in June 1815, and received the honour of a knighthood from King William IV in 1836, as a Knight Commander of the Guelphic Order. Promoted to Major-General in July 1830 and to Lieutenant-General in November 1841, he was appointed Colonel Commandant of the 1st Battalion of the 60th Rifles in November 1842. He received his final promotion to full General in June 1854, and died at Tracy Park, Gloucestershire, on 25 January 1856.
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