Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Crimean War ‘Medaille Militaire’ group of four awarded to Colour Sergeant John Coughlan, 57th Regiment

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, Sardinian issue (1569 Colr. Segr. John Coughlan, 57th Regiment) nearly very fine (4) £1600-1800

Sold with original award document for Medaille Militaire, dated 20 August 1856, this much repaired, two sergeant’s stripes and bullion crown, and a contemporary cutting from a local newspaper with his obituary which states:

‘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.’