Field-Marshal Sir William Maynard Gomm GCB


This engraving shows Gomm, wearing the uniform of the Coldstream Guards. His rank is worn on the collar but covered by a decoration ribbon. He is wearing a large medal, the Army Gold Cross which he was awarded for his service in the Peninsular War. It has a single clasp for BADAJOZ. The four arms of the cross are inscribed with SALAMANCA, VITTORIA, SAN SEBASTIAN and NIVE. He was also given a Silver War Medal with six clasps for ROLEIA, VIMIERA, CORUNNA, BUSACO, FUENTES D'ONOR and NIVELLE. The large star on his chest is the Knight Grand Cross, a division of the Order of the Bath. At Waterloo he was a staff officer in the role of Quartermaster-General to the 5th Division on the left of the line. He was Commanding Officer of the Coldstream Guards in 1836 for only one year but later in 1863, as Field-Marshal, was appointed Colonel of the regiment which post he held for nearly 12 years. Before that he was Colonel of the 13th Foot from 1846 to 1863. Other posts he held included Governor of Mauritius 1842-49, Commander-in-Chief in India 1851-55 and Constable of the Tower of London 1872-75. He died in 1875 aged 90.


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by Stephen Luscombe