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Auction: 23003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 152

A fine Crimean Al Valore Militare group of three awarded to Major R. Dillon, 30th (Cambridgeshire) Regiment of Foot

Crimea 1854-56 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Capt. R. Dillon, 30th Foot), officially impressed, clasp loose upon riband; Sardinia, Al Valore Militare, silver (Major Robert Dillon 30th Regt); Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue (Major R. Dillon. 30th Regt), engraved naming, with replacement silver loop suspension, each with silver bar for wear, very fine (3)

6 Al Valore Militare Medals to unit for the Crimean War.

Sardinian Al Valore Militare:

'Major Robert Dillon. Rendered good and gallant service in the trenches before Sebastopol, and on Inkermann heights during the winter of 1854-55.'Robert Dillon was born at Corfu, Greece, on 9 October 1819. He was commissioned Ensign, 94th Foot on 8 June 1838. Whilst serving in the East Indies, he advanced to Lieutenant (by Purchase) on 29 November 1839 and later transferred to the 97th Foot on 31 December 1841. He continued his service in the East Indies and then to Malta from December 1845. He purchased a Captaincy in that Regiment on 30 November 1849 and served in North America and Jamaica before exchanging to the 30th Foot. After a short period of service in North America, he embarked for Home Service.

Dillon served in the Crimea from 2 December 1854 and was in command of the 1st Company. He immediately joined his Regiment in the trenches at Inkermann Heights, a position the 30th would serve in throughout the dreadful winter of 1854-55. In April 1855, the 30th was moved to a new position at Cathcart Hill, a position they would remain at until the end of the War. On 29 June 1855, Dillon returned to England but was back in the Crimea on 10 September 1855. He was promoted to Major (without Purchase) on 13 February 1856, remaining in the Crimea until 3 June 1856.

After service in Gibraltar and England, in June 1861 he embarked for Canada, arriving in Toronto on 12 July. During its time in Canada, the Regiment defended the border with the United States during the 1861 Trent Affair, an incident during the American Civil War which threatened War between the United States and Britain. Dillon served in Canada for several years and retired on Half-Pay on 26 June 1865.

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Sold for
£1,400

Starting price
£800