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Auction: 22075 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 28

The rare Baltic Medal awarded to Corporal G. Luke, Royal Sappers and Miners, who was commended for his good work during the demolition of Bomarsund before being tragically killed in the trenches before Sebastopol in 1855

Baltic 1854-55 (G. Luke, Royal Sappers & Miners), officially impressed naming, good very fine

George Luke served with the Royal Sappers & Miners in both the Baltic and Crimea during the Crimean War of 1854-56. It is noted that he was one of 10 officers and men who sailed with the first detachment to the Baltic, aboard H.M.S. Duke of Wellington in March 1854 (British Battles and Medals, Appendix 5, refers) which was also the Flagship of Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Napier's fleet.
Mentioned by name in the Regimental History "for his ability and usefulness as a miner in the demolition of Bomarsund" (History of the Royal Sappers & Miners, T.W.J. Connolly refers), he is additionally recorded as Overseer of the road built on that place to haul the guns up to the breaching battery.
After service north, Luke was redeployed south to the Crimea where he was killed, on 17 July 1855, whilst involved in siege operations in the trenches before the Russian fortress as Sebastopol.

Sold with original Spink purchase receipt, dated 20 June 1946, noting that this Medal cost exactly £3.0.0.

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Sold for
£4,000