Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Long Service and Good Conduct Medal awarded to Sergeant-Major Jeremiah Whelan, 2/20th Foot, who previously served with the 55th Foot in the Crimea, being awarded the French Medaille Militaire and recommended for the Victoria Cross for gallantry at the storming of the Redan on 8 September 1855

Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (330. Sergt. Mjr. Jeremh. Whelan, 2nd Bn. 20th Foot.) very fine £300-£400

Jeremiah Whelan attested for the 55th Foot on 5 January 1848; promoted to Corporal, March 1854; promoted to Sergeant, October 1854; reduced to Private February 1855; promoted to Corporal, December 1855; reduced to Private, April 1856; transferred as Private to 1/15th Foot, 1 May 1857; transferred as Private to 2/20th Foot, 9 June 1858; promoted to Corporal and Sergeant, 1 July 1858; tried and reduced for drunkenness, 22 September 1858, sentence remitted 4 days later; appointed Colour-Sergeant, July 1860; promoted Sergeant-Major, April 1866; discharged at Fort Napier, Natal, on 21 December 1868, he continued service at the Depot until finally discharged on 22 June 1869.

His discharge papers are specially annotated in red ink as follows: ‘He was conspicuous for his gallantry & coolness at the attack on the Redan 8 Septr. 1855 for which he received the French War Medal & was recommended for the Victoria Cross. He possesses the Crimean Medal and clasps for Alma, Inkermann & Sebastopol and Turkish War Medal.’

The citation for the Medaille Militare states: ‘Private Jeremiah Whelan - landed in the Crimea, 14 September 1854. Present at the battle of Alma; repulse of the sortie at Inkermann. Served in the trenches up to the fall of Sebastopol. Present at the attack on the Redan, 18 June, at the Quarries, 7 June 1855, and particularly distinguished himself by his gallant conduct at the storming of the Redan on 8 September 1855.’