Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 18003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 65

An important 'Light Brigade' casualty's Crimea Medal awarded to Corporal G. Taylor, D.C.M., 17th Lancers, who was severely wounded during the charge and died at Scutari in January 1855, just three days before being recommended for his well-earned D.C.M.

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Sebastopol (Corpl. G. Taylor. 17th Lancers.), officially impressed naming, miniscule old repair to reverse of first clasp, otherwise nearly extremely fine

Provenance:
Ex-H. Y. Usher Collection. Acquired Baldwins, circa 1952.

D.C.M. recommendation dated 19 January 1855.

George Taylor was born in 1813 and enlisted in the 17th Lancers in January 1833. Having served as a Troop Sergeant Major for eight years, he was reduced to Private by District Court Martial in February 1851, for drunkeness in Barracks. Taylor was subsequently promoted Corporal in May 1854.

He is confirmed upon all the rolls as having ridden in Troop Sergeant-Major D. O'Hara's No. 4 Troop for the Charge of the Light Brigade, 25 October 1854. On that famous occasion, Taylor was severly wounded and sent to Scutari on 26 October 1854. Taylor died on 16 January 1855, his death being recorded as a result of diarrhoea (London Evening Standard, 1 February 1855, refers) before knowing of his recommendation for the D.C.M. which would be made three days later. He left a wife, Rebecca, living in Leeds, Yorkshire and £6/18/6. This the only Medal issued is respect of his service.

Sold with research compiled by A. L. T. Mullen, original correspondance to Usher from A. H. Baldwin & Sons, 3 Robert Street, London, dated February 1953 and a fascintating original letter from The Adjutant, 17th Lancers to a Mr. B. Brown of North Street, Leeds, dated September 1899, relating to the recipient and this medal.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£9,500