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Auction: 26003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 44

(x) The Crimea Medal awarded to Private R. McCowan, 2nd Dragoons (Scots Greys), who died on 27 February 1855 and would have shared in the Charge of the Heavy Brigade

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Robt. McCowan, 2nd Dragns.), officially impressed naming, last clasp loose upon riband, with original ribbon in its named card box of issue together with a portrait photograph by McKenzie, Paisley, of the recipient in a Volunteer uniform prior to joining the Greys, the box rather distressed, the medal with minor edge bruising, otherwise dark toned, good very fine

Robert McCowan was born at Paisley, near Glasgow, on 17 July 1835. He enlisted at Glasgow for the 2nd Dragoons on 8 February 1853, aged 18 years, his trade then being described as blockcutter. He served with the Scots Greys as part of the Heavy Brigade in the action at Balaklava and at Sebastopol. Private McCowan died at ‘Camp Crimea’ on 27 February 1855.

It should be noted that the 2nd Dragoons were not present at Inkermann and that McCowan’s medal should have clasps for Balaklava and Sebastopol only. However, the medal is clearly as issued, as borne out by the accompanying card box. The mistake is easily explained by examining the regimental medal roll compiled ‘Camp Crimea. 11 January 1855’ (WO 100/24) which clearly shows the letter ‘I’ in the column for ‘Inkermann Novr. 5’ against many names, including McCowan, in addition to the letter ‘B’ to indicate entitlement to the clasp for Balaklava. A separate roll was compiled in November 1855 listing those entitled to clasps for Sebastopol, most of which were despatched as loose clasps at a later date.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£1,400 to £1,800

Starting price
£1100