Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Crimea Heavy Brigade pair awarded to Farrier Sergeant J. Yorke, 5th Dragoon Guards

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (... J. Yorke, 5th Dra ....) engraved naming, part of naming illegible; Turkish Crimea 1855, British issue (No.995 Far. Jas. York [sic], 5th Dragoon Gds.) regimentally impressed naming, pierced with ring and straight bar suspension, severe edge bruising, possibly sometime brooch mounted, contact marks, good fine (2) £600-£800

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, July 2003.

James Yorke, a Shoeing Smith by trade, was born in Malton, Yorkshire, in 1828, and attested there for the 5th Dragoon Guards on 5 December 1847. He served with the Regiment during the Crimea campaign, and is shown in the musters as being effective from 1 October to 30 November 1854, and as such probably rode in the charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaklava on 25 October 1854; indeed most members of the Heavy Brigade who were entitled to the Balaklava clasp, in the absence of any evidence or status details to the contrary, did take part in the charge. Promoted Farrier Sergeant on 4 February 1860, he was discharged on 26 December 1871, after 24 years and 20 days’ service.

Sold with copied service papers and other research.