Four: Serjeant-Major J. Crangle, 95th Foot

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Cr. Serjt., 95th Regt.), officially impressed naming; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Central India (Color Serjt., 95th Regt), claw refixed; Army Meritorious Service Medal, V.R. (Serjt. Major, 95th Foot B.U. List); Turkish Crimea 1855, French issue (Color Sergt., XCV Regt.), impressed naming, with ‘British Crimea’ style suspension, some contact marks, minor edge bruising, generally very fine (4) £900-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Brigadier Brian Parritt, C.B.E..

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James Crangle was born in Dundalk, Co. Louth. A Labourer by occupation he enlisted into the 70th Regiment on 10 April 1846, aged 22 years. He was transferred to the 95th Regiment in November 1850 and was promoted to Corporal in January 1853, Serjeant in November 1854 and Colour Serjeant in July 1855. Crangle served with his regiment in the Crimea, seeing action at Alma, Inkermann and at the seige of Sebastopol. His wife too had an interesting war. Being one of the 20 soldiers’ wives from the 95th to have won a ballot to accompany their husbands to the war, she and the others were barred from proceeding from Varna by a decree from Lord Raglan that no wives should continue on to Sebastopol. Using her initiative, Mrs Crangle borrowed her husband’s greatcoat and walked boldly up the gangway pretending to be a soldier onto the boat taking the regiment from Varna to Sebastopol! After the Crimea, Crangle served for over 12 years in India. Serving as Colour Serjeant with his regiment he saw active service in the suppression of the Indian Mutiny, the regiment taking part in the actions at Rowa, Fort Kotah, Gwalior, Beejapore and Koondrye. In 1866 he was promoted to Serjeant-Major of the Sanatorium at Ghizree, sited in a rest camp area near Karachi. He served in this position for three years before returning to England. It was during this time whilst on the Bombay Unattached List that he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal with an annuity of £15. Crangle was discharged at Netley on 19 November 1869, being described as ‘Worn out but in good health and able to contribute to his own support. On his retirement he worked as a Gardener in Peter Stott Martin House, Cullybacky, County Antrim, and served as the Quarter Master Serjeant in Belfast District ‘B’ until 1887. Sold with copied discharge papers and other copied research.