Orders, Decorations and Medals Including five Special Collections

Pair: Private Frances Wilson, 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards

Crimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (5480 F. Wilson, 3rd Battn. Grenr. Guards) regimentally impressed naming; Turkish Crimea 1855, British issue, unnamed, contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine (2) £400-500

Private Frances is mentioned in a letter written by Private Joseph Troy, 3rd Company, 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards, relating to the battle of Inkermann and the famous charge on the Sandbag Battery, in which the regiment won three Victoria Crosses:

‘We advanced to the battery and got the word to charge; and we charged, and drove the Russians from the battery in which they were. After firing some time, I went towards the left of the battery. I heard the word given to retire, and I did so. Moses Longman was with me, also Jack Morris; I also saw Anthony Palmer [awarded Victoria Cross]. Sir C. Russell [awarded Victoria Cross] said, go back and charge them again. I was eight paces to the right in front of Anthony Palmer at the time. Going again to the right of the battery, I saw Sir Robert Newman on the ground wounded, to the left of the battery at this time. We then charged, and drove the enemy up to it, and a regular fight ensued, the Russians on one side in great numbers, and we on the other; my firelock was useless, and I took one out of Drummer Young’s hands. I saw Captain Burnaby: he was towards the centre of the right of the battery. I saw him get over the battery, and go 10 or 12 yards to the front, and fight a Russian; he struck him down. I went over also. I was about four yards in front of the battery on the right; he was the only officer; and we were surrounded on both sides, and there were with us Bancroft, Sayer, F. Wilson, Archer, J. Sellers, and Ed. Hill. I saw F. Wilson try to run a Russian through, but his foot caught, and he fell. I was on his right, and ran the man through the chest; and Archer, who was on the left, bayoneted another. Bancroft was on the right. I saw him surrounded by three Russians just at this moment; I saw him kill one, and then I saw him stick another; and some time after saw him fighting another Russian whilst he was kicking one on the ground; but the colours being surrounded at this moment, we made it back to the battery, and rallied round them.’ Sold with further details and confirmation of clasps.