Medallion - Charles Marquis Cornwallis

Reverse

Fame holding a wreath and blowing a trumpet standing on a trophy of arms, sun in splendour above.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
AB ORI-ENTE AD OCCASUM
1794

Translation: (From east to west).

Engraver: W. Mainwaring

Edge

Plain

Comment

Charles, first Marquis and second Earl Cornwallis (1738-1805). Educated at Eton and entered the army becoming an aide-de-camp to the Marquis of Granby in Germany between 1758 and 1759. He succeeded as Second Earl Cornwallis in 1760 and was Constable of the Tower between 1770 and 1783. In 1776 he was sent with reinforcements to North America where he subdued New Jersey; he occupied Philadephia in the following year. In 1781 he invaded Virginia and was ordered to hold Yorktown but was forced to capitulate. Cornwallis was transferred to India at his own request and he took command at Calcutta in 1786. He received the surrender of Sultan Tipoo (see No. 363) and was responsible for reorganising the civil and military administration in India. After a period in Ireland he returned to India in 1805, again taking command at Calcutta; he died in the same year.
from British Historical Medals, Volume I, pp. 87