Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (J. Cameron, 2nd Dragns.) officially impressed naming, Sebastopol clasp loose as issued, fitted with T. B. Bailey silver riband brooch, minor edge bruise, otherwise nearly extremely fine £1,000-£1,400

James Cameron is shown in the musters as being on active duty with his regiment for the whole of the quarter of the 1st October to the 31st December 1854, and it is most probable, therefore, that he took part in the famous charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaklava, in which the Scots Greys had two men killed and fifty-six wounded. Seven men were awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

It should be noted that the 2nd Dragoons were not present at Inkermann and that Cameron’s medal should technically have clasps for Balaklava and Sebastopol only. The mistake is easily explained by examining the regimental medal roll compiled ‘Camp Crimea. 11 January 1855’ (WO 100/24) which clearly shows the letter ‘I’ in the column for ‘Inkermann Novr. 5’ against many names, including Cameron, in addition to the letter ‘B’ to indicate entitlement to the clasp for Balaklava. Consequently many men of the 2nd Dragoons were officially issued with the Inkermann clasp. A separate roll was compiled in November 1855 listing those entitled to clasps for Sebastopol, most of which were despatched as loose clasps at a later date.