Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Crimea medal awarded to Sergeant-Major William Honey Smith, 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who carried the colours at the Alma, was severely wounded at the storming of the Redan, and awarded the D.C.M.

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Serjt. Major W. H. Smith, 23rd R.W. Fusrs.) contemporary engraved naming, contact marks, nearly very fine £600-£800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the 23rd Foot Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

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William Honey Smith was enlisted into the 23rd Foot at Oxford on 20 September 1836, aged 18. He was promoted to Corporal in July 1842, to Sergeant in November 1846, to Colour-Sergeant in July 1851, and to Sergeant-Major on 22 September 1854. At the battle of the Alma the ‘regimental colour was carried by Sergeant Honey Smith after Lieutenant Butler fell; it was intrusted to him by Major-General Codrington, as no officer could be spared from his company.’ He was afterwards present at the battle of Inkermann and was severely wounded at the storming of the Redan on 8 September 1855. He was recommended for the D.C.M. on 15 January 1855, which award he received on 26 March 1855, together with a gratuity of £15, the highest such reward in the regiment. He was commissioned as Lieutenant and Quartermaster in the 23rd R.W.F. on 8 January 1856, and was placed on half-pay on 5 June 1857.

Sold with a modern copy D.C.M. together with copied record of service and other research.