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Auction: 23001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 23

The Crimea Medal awarded to Lieutenant-General Sir J. Clerk-Rattray, K.C.B., 90th (Perthshire Light Infantry) Regiment of Foot, an old boy of Rugby, who was severely wounded in the Final Attack on the Redan and was later twice 'mentioned' in the Defence of Lucknow

Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Lieutt I. C. Rattary. 90th Regt.), note incorrect initial, regimentally impressed naming heavy edge wear, nearly very fine

[K.C.B.] London Gazette 14 March 1898.

James Clerk-Rattray was born on 31 October 1832, the son of Robert and Jane Clerk-Rattray; his father was laird of Craighall-Rattray, a title he inherited after his brother David Clerk-Rattray died in the burning of H.M.S. Ajax in 1807. The younger Clerk-Rattray was educated at Rugby and commissioned Ensign on 17 January 1851. Advanced Lieutenant just prior to the Crimean War on 11 August 1854 he sailed with his unit to take part in this conflict, arriving in time to participate in the Siege of Sebastopol.

Clerk-Rattray was part of the force which took part in the final attack upon the Redan Bastion on 8 September 1856. The attack was a bloodbath in which the British managed to take the Bastion but were unable to hold it against determined counter-attacks. One member of the Regiment, Private John Alexander, won the Victoria Cross for rescuing wounded men before the Russian trenches under heavy fire. 11 officers of the 90th Regiment were severely wounded in the fighting including Clerk-Rattray - although notably he was promoted Captain the next day (9 September) suggesting that the Regiment was confident in his survival.

Recovering, Clerk-Rattray joined his unit in India where they were stationed on the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny - posted to General Havelock's Column he was present for the first relief and subsequent second Defence of Lucknow. Twice mentioned in despatches as a result of his bravery here, Clerk-Rattray joined General Sir James Outram's defenders at the Alumbagh after the rest of the garrison was evacuated.

He continued to serve, being promoted Major on 14 January 1862 and Lieutenant-Colonel on 3 June 1864. Clerk-Rattray finally advanced to command the Regiment as Colonel on 3 June 1869, later holding the same rank with the Scottish Rifles. He served as a Justice of the Peace for Perthshire and held the office of Deputy Lieutenant for the same county. Further advanced Major-General, upon his retirement he was given the honorary rank of Lieutenant-General and succeeded his father to the lairdship of Craighall-Rattray; sold together with typed research and copied research including medal rolls, casualty rolls and an 1872 Army List along with a list of the commanders of the 90th Regiment

Further entitled to the Indian Mutiny Medal, a K.C.B. set of Insignia and Turkish Crimea Medal.

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Sold for
£300

Starting price
£100