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Auction: 24002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 86

'...A worse rider, a worse drill, a greater humbug never before held the rank of Adjutant in the British Army'

Troop Sergeant-Major Smith's comment on Yates' appointment to the 11th Hussars

The Crimean Al Valore Militare group of three awarded to Cornet and Adjutant J. Yates, 11th Hussars (Prince Albert's Own) at the time of the Charge of the Light Brigade

Crimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Lt & Adjut J. Yates. 11th Husr), engraved naming; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian die, unnamed as issued, fitted with privately-made suspension; Sardinia, Al Valore Militare, silver, reverse engraved in elaborate script 'Lieut and Adjutant, John Yates, 11th Husss', fitted with privately-made suspension, significant contact wear, edge brusing, edge knocks, about very fine (3)

John Yates was born in Birmingham on 23 May 1819 and enlisted at age 18 with the 17th Lancers in 1837, later being appointed Quartermaster Sergeant in July 1852. He was transferred to the 11th Hussars as a Cornet and Adjutant in September 1854, only a month prior to the famed Charge of the Light Brigade at the Battle of Balaklava. Yates seems to have been markedly unpopular, with Troop Sergeant-Major Smith of the Regiment noting in his diary:

'Unfortunately for us Colonel Douglas allowed Colonel Lawrenson of the 17th Lancers to persuade him that his quartermaster[-sergeant] would make us an excellent adjutant - although at the time our two senior sergeant-majors were both eligible…I have heard on good authority that Colonel Douglas deeply regretted this act…The 17th might well be glad to get rid of him; they certainly got the laugh of us'.

Smith further commented, '[Yates] had only been with us a month and had made himself thoroughly obnoxious to everyone'.

The extent of Yates' involvement in the Charge of the Light Brigade has been a point of historical debate. However, given the presence of comments by two contemporary sources from Yates' unit, it is accepted that Yates did not participate in the Charge. Troop Sergeant-Major Smith wrote that "He [Yates], it will be remembered, remained behind when the brigade was ordered to attack". Smith's account is compounded by Private Pennington, who noted that Yates was suffering from "a temporary indisposition" during the Charge and returned to camp. However, according to Pennington, Yates later criticised the returning soldiers on their appearance only to be checked by Lord Cardigan himself who reportedly told Yates that they deserved nothing but praise, 'they having done "their" duty'.

Having failed to take up his role during the battle, Yates' place was assumed by Assistant Surgeon Henry Wilkins who was later recommended for the Victoria Cross during the Indian Mutiny and was wounded at the Relief of Lucknow.

Yates was present in Crimea for the duration of the conflict, advanced Lieutenant in 1855, and became one of 450 British recipients of the Al Valore Militaire awarded during the Crimean War. He was later promoted Captain in 1859, though was not attached to any Regiment. Records show that Yates married Frances Margaret on 10 February 1860 in Edgbaston, Warwick and died just a couple of years later on 15 August 1862; sold together with copied research.

Reference Works:
Adkin, M., The Charge: The Real Reason the Light Brigade was Lost (Pimlico, 2004).
Brighton, T., Hell Riders: The Truth About the Charge of the Light Brigade (Viking, 2004).
Grehan, J., Voices from the Past: The Charge of the Light Brigade (Frontline Books, 2017).
Lummis, W. M., and K. G. Wynn, Honour the Light Brigade (Hayward & Son, 1973).

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Sold for
£1,600

Starting price
£1600