Orders, Decorations and Medals

Three: Sergeant William Bacchus, Coastal Artillery, late ‘C’ Troop, Royal Horse Artillery

Crimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (W. Bawtus. C. Troop Royal Horse Artill[e]ry) depot impressed naming; Turkish Crimea 1855, British issue, unnamed, pierced with ring suspension; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (1789 Pensd. Sergt. Wm. Bacchus, Coast R.A.) note variation in surname, mounted for wear, on old ribbons, first medal with heavy edge bruising, contact marks, good fine and better (3) £550-650

Ex Dixon Autumn 2004.

William Bacchus was born in Hammersmith, London. A Groom by occupation, he attested for the Royal Artillery at Woolwich, Kent on 17 February 1848, aged 18 years, one month. With the Royal Artillery he served 2 years, one month in the Crimea. He was promoted to Bombardier in March 1855; Corporal in August 1855 and Serjeant in November 1855. Re-engaged at Norwich for 9 years in February 1860. He was discharged on 5 February 1869 having claimed it on the termination of his second period of service. Clasps confirmed.

At Balaklava he served with ‘C’ Troop Royal Horse Artillery. Under the command of John Brandling, ‘C’ Troop R.H.A. played an important roll in the charges of both the Heavy and Light Brigades.

Brandling, pushing his already tired men who had just returned from all night piquet duty at Inkermann, arrived with ‘C’ Troop on the left flank of the British heavy cavalry, just as Scarlett was forming his men up to charge the close packed ranks of Russian cavalry who greatly outnumbered them. The charge drove the Russians back but reforming and with artillery and infantry support, looked as if they might turn the table on the now dispersed and winded British cavalry. Seeing this, Brandling set up his battery some 800 yards from the enemy and commenced a well disciplined volley of 49 rounds which did great damage to the closely packed Russians who broke. Brandling followed up the Russians and engaged some Russian cavalry and artillery at and by No. 2 Redoubt before withdrawing to cover from the return fire. Brandling then rode off alone scouting along a ridge only to see the Light Brigade trot past into the North Valley and out of sight. Realising the danger he returned to his troop and ordered his now exhausted men to the crest of the ridge where he engaged the Russian guns who were causing so much carnage to the Light Brigade. He kept his guns firing until the survivors of the fateful charge had trickled back. Lord Raglan complimented Brandling for his efforts on that day. Finally, on hearing of the death of his close friend, Captain Louis Nolan (the first man killed in the charge and the one who is often blamed for the Brigade advancing up the wrong valley), he set off to find his body and then buried him with the help of some of his men.

With copied service papers and roll extract and other research.