Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Crimean War Light Brigade pair awarded to Private George Ridge, 17th Lancers, who was Court Martialed after the Charge for ‘insubordination on the field’

Crimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (G. Ridge, 17th Lancers.) officially impressed naming; Turkish Crimea 1855, British issue, unnamed as issued, very fine (2) £3,000-£4,000

George Ridge was born in Lancaster and was a servant prior to enlisting under the alias of Robert Roe on 28 May 1852. Proper name of George Ridge resumed per War Office Authority 11 March 1854. He is shown on the roll as a Hospital Orderly, presumably at Camp Balaklava, and cannot therefore be confirmed as a charger but his entitlement to all four clasps is confirmed. However, he was court martialed immediately after the Charge for ‘insubordination on the field’ - presumably this was for questioning or complaining about the orders during the Charge of the Light Brigade. Following a series of misdemeanours documented in the muster rolls, he was discharged as ‘worthless’ at Dublin on 7 November 1856.

Sold with research including muster roll details.