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Auction: 26001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 105

The Crimean War Medaille Militaire group of four awarded to Colour Sergeant J. Coughlan, 57th Regiment of Foot, who rescued a captured French officer from two Russian officers, both of whom he killed

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (No. 1569 Colr. Serjt. John Coughlan 57th Regt.), regimentally impressed naming; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., small letter reverse (1569. Cr. Serjt. John Coughlan, 57th Foot); Medaille Militaire, silver, gilt and enamel, badly chipped; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue (1569 Colr. Segr. John Coughlan, 57th Regiment), sold together with the original award document for the Medaille Militaire, nearly very fine (4)

Medaille Militaire awarded as per the original award document, dated 20 August 1856.

John Coughlan was born at Killenaule, County Tipperary, and was attested for the 57th Foot at Kilkenny on 24 February 1841. Advanced Corporal in January 1847 and Sergeant in October 1848 it was in that rank that he served during the Crimean War.

He was to see heavy action there, being present for the Battles of Balaklava and Inkerman, the latter notably seeing the Regiment suffer losses of over 80 men. Around this time he was tried by a regimental court martial in January 1855 and sentenced to be reduced, this was remitted almost immediately with no consequent loss of rank or time. After this Coughlan was also present for the assault on the Reden on 18 June 1855.

Promoted Colour-Sergeant in August 1855 Coughlan remained in that rank until his discharge at Cork on 15 March 1862, having completed 21 years service. During this time he served abroad 8 years 5 months, in the East Indies 3 years 9 months, Corfu 1 year 6 months, the Crimea 1 year 8 months, and at Malta 1 years 6 months.

He appears on the 1881 census as a Drill Sergeant in the Rifle Volunteers living at St. Lukes, Cannock. A newspaper obituary adds further colour to his life, stating:

'In the death of Colour-Sergeant John Coughlan the county has lost another of its Crimean heroes and Cannock an old and interesting inhabitant. He died on Thursday week, at Bridgetown, where he had resided for a few years, in the 74th year of his age. At one time he was a familiar form in Cannock and district and he had many friends. He was admired and respected for the valiant part he took in the memorable war and also in the Indian Mutiny [no trace on medal roll, regiment not present], and when he retired from the service he was in possession of the Balaklava, Inkerman, and Sebastopol clasps and a French gold medal for bravery and valour, conferred on him by direction of the Emperor Napoleon for rescuing a French officer who had fallen into the hands of two Russian officers, both of whom Coughlan killed, and carried the officer back to the trenches. Some years ago the Sergeant was drill instructor to the local volunteers. He then went to live at Hednesford, leaving the Walsall-road, Cannock. In after life he returned to Cannock and again lived in the Walsall-road, from where he removed to his last home in Bridgetown.'

Sold together with copied research including census data, service papers and original material comprising a contemporary cutting from a local newspaper, original award document for Medaille Militaire, dated 20 August 1856, this much repaired, two sergeant's stripes and bullion crown.

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Estimate
£2,400 to £2,800

Starting price
£1900