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Auction: 336 - The Numismatic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 1471

Great Britain. Group of Five to: Major R.B. Willington, 77th Foot, one of just six men of his regiment to be decorated with the Sardinian al Valore Militare during the Crimean campaign. Crimea, 1854-56, three clasps: "Alma", "Inkermann", and "Sebastopol" (Capt'n Rich'd Butler Willington, 77th Regt.), contemporary re-engraved naming; France, Second Empire, Legion of Honor, Knight's Breast Badge, silver, gold and enamels; Sardinia, al Valore Militare (Captn Ricd Butler Willington 77 Regt), mint mark 'F.G' and 'Spedizione D'Oriente 1855 - 1856' reverse; Turkey, Order of the Medjidjie, Fifth Class breast badge, silver, gold and enamels; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, several points bent and enamel damage to second, otherwise very fine or better (5)

Richard Butler Willington was born in December 1833 and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 77th Foot in May 1853. Advanced Captain, he served with the Regiment throughout the Crimea campaign. In the London Evening Standard of 5 September 1857, upon the announcement of the award of Al Valore Militare medals from the King of Sardinia, the entry confirms; 'Served Eastern campaign of 1854-55, including the battles of Alma and Inkerman and [the] siege of Sebastopol.'

This would be added to his Crimea Medal with 3 clasps, French Legion of Honour, Turkish Order of the Medjidjie, 5th Class (London Gazette 2 March 1858 refers) and Turkish Crimea medal. Advanced Major in April 1866, he died a little over two years later, aged just 36. A memorial at New Church, Templemore, County Tipperary, Ireland was erected in his memory and states;

'Major Richard Butler Willington 77th East Middlesex Regiment who died at Murree in the Punjaub [sic], East Indies on the 1st September 1868. His brother Officers have erected this tablet'

In the corners of the tablet are the words 'Crimea, Alma, Inkermann, Sebastopol'; sold with copied research.

Sold for
$1,100