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Auction: 21003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 478

A very fine Crimea 'Al Valore' and 'Medaille Militaire' campaign group of four awarded to Sergeant S. Ewing, Royal Artillery, who was twice decorated and lost a leg whilst part of the Spiking Party during the fateful Assault on the Redan, 18 June 1855

Crimea 1854-56, 2 clasps, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Serjt. Saml. Ewing Ryl. Arty.), contemporarily engraved naming; Al Valore Militare Medal 1858-1856, silver (949 Serjeant Sml. Ewing Ryl. Arty.), engraved naming; France, Medaille Militaire, silver and enamel; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian die (Sergt. S. Ewing.), mounted as worn upon quadruple silver mount, pin removed, some enamel loss to the third, very fine (4)

Al Valore citation states:

'7th Company, 11th Battalion.

Served in First, Second, Third and Fourth Bombardments against Sebastopol. Was reported to the Commanding Officer of the Siege Train for great bravery and energy when in command of a gun in the Bombardment between 6th and 10th June 1855, exposing himself freely in the embrasures, and encouraging the men, setting a gallant example. Was a Volunteer for the spiking party which left the Trenches to assail the Redan on the 18th June, on which occasion he lost his leg. He repeatedly attracted the notice of his Officers.'

Medaille Militaire citation states:

'Showed great zeal and energy in command of a gun in the June bombardment. Volunteered for a spiking party and lost a leg.'

Samuel Ewing was born at Lanark in 1832 and joined the Royal Artillery on 2 May 1849 whilst a porter by trade. Ewing showed great bravery during the Crimean War and was part of the famous spiking party whose action was observed by Lord Raglan. Of that brave band, no less than 11 of them were killed or wounded. Ewing was himself wounded in the action on 18 June 1855:

'He was shot in the left leg, below the knee, which fractured the bone and almost completely divided the limb. It was amputated about six weeks afterwards, four inches below the knee.'

Lucky indeed to survive the ordeal and the risks of going under the surgeons saw in that period, Ewing was discharged at Woolwich on 10 March 1857; sold together with a framed and cased period photographic image of Ewing in later life, besides copied research.

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Estimate

Starting price
£950