Medals from the Collection of Gordon Everson

A Light Brigade group of three to Sergeant-Major Richard Holland, 4th Light Dragoons

Crimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Corpl. R. Holland, 4th Lt. Dragns.) officially impressed naming; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue (1531 Serjt. Rd. Holland); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., small letter reverse (1531 Serjt. Instr. of Musky. Richd. Holland, 4th Hussars) all three fitted with contemporary ribbon brooches by T. B. Bailey, Coventry, together with an old silver display plaque, 127mm x 57mm, inscribed with his service details, some contact marks, otherwise very fine and better (3) £1400-1800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Gordon Everson.

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The silver plaque carries the following inscription: ‘Richard Holland, Sergt-Major. Born at Lichfield, Staffordshire 1831. Son of Richard Barnard Holland of that City. Enlisted in the 90th Regt of Infantry Nov. 5th 1849; transferred April 30th 1852 to 4th Light Dragoons (afterwards re-named 4th Queen’s Own Hussars), promoted to Corporal Decr. 24th 1855, Sergeant Nov. 1st 1857, Sergt-Major and Instructor of Musketry Oct. 7th 1862. Served in Crimean campaign August 2nd 1854 - May 1856; served during the Siege of Sevastopol until its fall Sept. 8th 1855; present at the battles of Alma Sept. 20th 1854, Balaclava Oct. 25th 1854 and Inkerman Nov. 5th 1854. Served in India Nov. 26th 1867 to Nov. 24th 1870. Invalided home and died at Netley Hospital Feb. 28th 1871.’

In the action at Balaklava on 25 October 1854, the 4th Light Dragoons had two officers and 16 men killed and two officers and 29 men wounded. Eight men were awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.