Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Crimea Medal awarded to Private G. Sutherland, 93rd Highlanders, one of the ‘Thin Red Line’ at the Battle of Balaklava, who died at Bareilly during the Indian Mutiny on 5 May 1858

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Sebastopol (1710. Gordon. Sutherland. 93. Sutherland. Highlanders) Regimentally impressed naming, minor dig to obverse field, very fine £600-£800

Gordon Sutherland served with the 93rd Highlanders in the Crimea, and was present at Balaklava on 25 October 1854, when the 93rd routed the Russian cavalry and won themselves the title of ‘The Thin Red Line’. The Times correspondent, William Howard Russell, who, standing on the hills above, could clearly see that nothing stood between the Russian cavalry and the defenceless British base but the ‘thin red streak tipped with a line of steel’ wrote of the 93rd:
‘With breathless suspense everyone awaits the bursting of the wave [of Russian Cavalry] upon the line of Gaelic rock, but ere they came within 200 yards another deadly volley flashes from the levelled rifle, and carries terror into the Russians. They wheel about, open files right and left, and fly back faster than they came. “Brave Highlanders! Well done!” shout the spectators.’

Sutherland subsequently proceeded with the Regiment to India, and saw service during the Great Sepoy Mutiny, being present at the Second Relief of Lucknow and subsequent operations (entitled to an Indian Mutiny Medal with clasps Relief of Lucknow and Lucknow), before dying at Bareilly on 5 May 1858.

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