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Auction: 18001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 376

(x) The mounted group of three miniature dress medals named to Captain D. Moodie, 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys), Regimental Adjutant at the Charge of the Heavy Brigade

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (D. Moodie - Lieut. & Adjt. Rl. Scots. Greys. 1859); Turkey, Ottoman Empire, Order of the Medjidie, badge, silver, silver-gilt, gold and enamel; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian die (D. Moodie - Lieut. & Adjt. Rl. Scots. Greys. 1859), mounted as worn on individual riband buckles adjoined with leather strap, naming style contemporary and charming, good very fine (3)


Daniel Moodie was serving as Regimental Sergeant-Major with the Scots Greys on their arrival in the Crimea. A letter of his regarding the Charge of the Heavy Brigade, was published on 27 October 1854:

'We are never done day or night, but the worst job we have had was on the 25th, which commenced at daylight by the Russians attacking our outworks and driving back the Turks at the point of the bayonet and capturing three forts. We were under shot and shell from daylight till four p.m. The slaughter was dreadful, we were attacked by numerous body of Russian cavalry who thought to drive everything before them but our cavalry charged and our regiment leading, went in at a fine style. Such a 'mill' you could not imagine. We fought hand to hand, but we proved our superiority as swordsmen by beating them off the field. The charge made by the regiment was admired by everyone and proved that the young Greys were equal to the old ones.

Lord Raglan complimented Colonel Griffiths on the gallant conduct of the regiment and in doing so, asking him if he had any favour to ask. The Colonel told him he had recommended me a month ago for a commission on the death of Captain Freeman … His Lordship told him that by all means, I should have it.

I suppose the engagement of the 25th will be called the 'Battle of Balaklava' … our loses have been severe … the only thing I am glad of is that the regiment acted with the greatest courage. French, English and Turks all expressed the greatest admiration of our gallant charges.

P.S. I may mention that I got off well. I never got a scratch although in the thickest of the battle the whole day. The non-commissioned officers got in for it a good deal.'

Commissioned Cornet and Adjutant, Moodie was present for all three clasps besides the action at McKenzie's Farm and Chernaya. He was advanced Lieutenant in February 1856 and to Captain with the 60th Rifles in July 1865; sold with copied research.

Note:
A group of full-size awards, dated in a similar manner, was sold at Sotheby's, November 1977.


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Sold for
£320