Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Surgeon J. I. Purcell Williams, Rifle Brigade

Crimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (J. I. Purcell Williams, Rifle Brigade) contemporary engraved naming; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, unnamed, pierced with ring suspension, first with edge bruising and contact marks, good fine; second good very fine (lot) £700-900

John Ignatius Purcell Williams studied Medicine at Liverpool Infirmary, 1850-53. Upon his qualification, he entered the Army and was appointed an Assistant Surgeon with the Rifle Brigade, 14 July 1854. With the Rifle Brigade he served throughout the Crimean War, including the battles of Alma, Balaklava and Inkermann and at the siege of Sebastopol. He was still employed as such with the regiment until 1862.

With a number of original documents and papers, including Liverpool Infirmary School of Medicine admittance cards (15) for the period 1850-53; Medical Registration Office form confirming his qualifications; the recipient’s Commission Document appointing him an Assistant Surgeon in the Rifle Brigade, 6 August 1854; 37 letters (some damaged) from the recipient, mostly from the camp before Sebastopol, to his father, The Rev. Edmund Williams of Pentre Mawr, near Denbigh, North Wales. Also with a book, titled Lélia (in French), inside inscribed, ‘Taken at Sevastopol September 9th 1855 by J. I. Purcell-Williams, 1st Battn. Rifle Brigade.’