Orders, Decorations and Medals

An interesting Crimean War group of four awarded to Major Godfrey Rhodes, 94th Regiment, Acting Deputy Assistant Comissary General, attached to the Heavy Cavalry in charge of Transport, previously Aide-de-Camp to the Spanish General Prim and in the service of Selim Pacha during the campaign on the Danube 1853-54

Crimea 1854-55, 3 clasps, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Major, Actg. Depy. Asst. Commt. Genl.) contemporary engraved naming, fitted with ribbon buckle, brooch fitting neatly fixed to the back of the first clasp; Spain, Order of Isabella the Catholic, breast badge in gold and enamels, fitted with gold ribbon brooch; Turkey, Order of the Medjidie, 4th class breast badge in silver, gold and enamel; Turkish Crimea 1855, British issue, nearly extremely fine and rare (4)

Godfrey Rhodes purchased a commission in the 60th Rifles, for £500, on 19 March 1841; Lieutenant, 25 June 1844; Captain, 20 July 1849; transferred to 94th Regiment, 8 November 1849; Major (Unattached List - Half Pay), 19 November 1858.

Major Rhodes served in the campaign of 1853 and the Spring campaign of 1854 on the Danube as Aide-de-Camp to the Spanish General Prim, and was present at the battle of Oltenitza on 4 November 1853. He was subsequently attached to Selim Pacha’s Staff and accompanied the Turkish Irregular Cavalry in three successful sorties from the Quarantine Station. Present on 12 November in the Tête de Pont when the Russians unsuccessfully attacked and bombarded that position, retiring with loss; was also present at the retreat of the Russians from Giergevo and Slobodsia in July 1854. For the abovementioned services he received the Spanish Order of Isabel the Catholic, also the Turkish Order of the Medjidie 4th class and a Sword of Honour from the Sultan of Turkey.

Served in the campaign of 1854, on the Staff of the Army in the Crimea and was present at the battles of Balaklava and Inkermann and the siege of Sebastopol (Medal and clasps). He was attached to the Heavy Cavalry in charge of Transports until November 1854, when he was appointed as Aide-de-Camp to Lieutenant-General Beatson, with local rank of Major, and subsequently, in 1855, as Assistant Military Secretary. From February to September 1855 he was employed as ‘Chief of a Special Military Mission in Albania’ and, from his colloquial knowledge of the Turkish language, raised half the force of the Osmanli Irregular Cavalry, consisting of 3,000 Bashi-Bazook Horsemen. Sold with additional research. See lot 272 for related miniature dress medals.