Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Captain F. C. Currie, 79th Highlanders

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Sebastopol, unnamed as issued; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Captn. F. C. Currie, 79th. Highlanders); Ottoman Empire, Order of the Medjidieh, Fifth Class breast badge, silver, gold and enamel, of Bazaar manufacture, unmarked, the suspension ring forming part of the gold Star and Crescent suspension; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, a contemporary tailor’s copy by ‘J.B.’, first second and fourth mounted from a contemporary top Hunt & Roskell silver riband buckle, the Medjidieh mounted separately from a contemporary top Hunt & Roskell silver riband buckle with gold retaining pin, light edge nicks and contact marks, good very fine (4) £800-£1,000

Francis Gore Currie was born on 20 June 1835 and was educated at Harrow. He was commissioned Ensign in the 1st Regiment of Foot on 3 March 1854, and transferred to the 79th Highlanders on 10 March 1854. Promoted Lieutenant on 22 August 1854, he served with the 79th in the Crimea, and was present at the Battles of the Alma and Balaclava; the siege and fall of Sebastopol, the assaults of 18 June and 8 September 1855; and the Expedition to Kertch and Yenikale. According to the Regimental History, ‘It is believed that he carried the Queen’s Colour at the battle of the Alma, 20 September 1854.’ For his services in the Crimea he was awarded the Fifth Class of the Order of the Medjidieh (London Gazette 2 March 1858).

Promoted Captain on 17 February 1857, Currie embarked for India on 31 July 1857 and served during the Great Sepoy Mutiny, being present at the siege and capture of Lucknow, and during the Rohilcund and Oude Campaigns. He returned from India in Decemebr 1859, and relinquished his commission on 9 April 1861. He died in Spain on 17 August 1890.

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