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Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 180

(x) Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant

The Crimean War campaign group of three awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel E. Y. Peel, 11th Hussars (Prince Albert's Own), who served as Second-in-Command of the famed 'Cherrypickers' during the conflict; he was a nephew of the Prime Minister Robert Peel

Crimea 1854-56, 2 clasps, Alma, Sebastopol (Lt. Col: Edmund. Peel. 11th Hussars.), engraved naming; Turkish Crimea 1855 (Lt. Co. Edmund. Peel. 11th Hussars), engraved naming; Turkey, Ottoman Empire, Order of the Medjidie, 5th Class breast Badge, silver, gold and enamel, the reverse engraved 'Lt Col. Edmund Peel 11th Hussars', local maker's marks to the reverse, some wear and enamel damage to the suspension of the third, overall contact wear otherwise, very fine (3)

Order of the Medjidie London Gazette 2 March 1858.

Edmund Yates Peel was born in 1817, the son of Edmund and Emily Peel - and therefore a nephew of Prime Minster Robert Peel. Commissioned into the 11th Hussars (Prince Albert's Own) - one of the most fashionable cavalry regiments of the day - Peel was promoted Lieutenant on 17 July 1840 and further advanced Captain by Purchase on 3 November 1846.

With the outbreak of the Crimean War Peel was again promoted (this time without Purchase) Major on 20 June 1854. The 11th Hussars, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel John Douglas, was ordered to join the Light Brigade of Cavalry then being formed for service in the Crimea, under the command of the infamous James Brudenell, Lord Cardigan. Landing in September 1854, the regiment initially saw only limited service during this period with the Army commander, Lord Raglan, being cautious in using his Light Cavalry until only the most auspicious of circumstances. This caused considerable tension amongst both Officers and men who were keen to prove themselves in what was the first major war of their generation - indeed the cavalry commander, Lord Lucan, was swiftly nicknamed "Lord Look-On" for his apparent inactivity.

Interestingly, Peel is mentioned on more than one occasion by the well-known female diarist (and wife of the Paymaster of the 8th Hussars) Fanny Duberly, in her letters and diary entries:

'Tomorrow I dine with Major Peel of the 11th Hussars - who has got a big keg of most undeniable brandy sent him by Sir Tatton Sykes' (Mrs Duberly's War, refers).

Not listed as a Balaclava 'charger' and notably - unlike his commander Colonel Douglas - not entitled to an Inkermann clasp, it is likely Peel was performing the role of a Staff Officer at that point. Promoted Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel on 12 December 1854, Peel served unattached for some time before being appointed to a post at the War Office. He returned to Unattached service and retired on 19 June 1872; sold together with copied medal rolls.

For the Medals of his son-in-law, please see Lot 438.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£1,400

Starting price
£700