Four: Corporal Thomas O’Mealy, 39th Regiment

Maharajpoor Star 1843 (Private, H.M. 39th Regt.) fitted with replacement hook suspension; Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol, unnamed; Turkish Crimea, Sardinian issue, unnamed; Medaille Militaire, fitted with replacement bar suspension, all enamel lacking from the last, heavy contact marks generally, therefore good fine or better (4) £500-600

Medaille Militaire: ‘Corporal Thomas O’Meally (39th Regt.). Distinguished for coolness and intrepidity while under fire and on duty in the trenches. Wounded on 15th July 1855 while on duty in the advanced trenches. Never missed a day except when wounded.’

Thomas O’Mealy was born in the Parish of Castle Island, County Kerry, and attested for the 39th at Tralee on 27 July 1840. When discharged in September 1861 it was stated that ‘he is in possession of the Bronze Star for Maharajpore, a medal for the Crimea with clasp for Sebastopol, Turkish Crimean Medal and French War Medal, that he is in possession of four Good Conduct Badges, that he has been once tried by Court Martial and has one entry in his Regimental Defaulters Sheet, and that he was wounded slightly in the Trenches near Sebastopol on the 15th July 1855’.