Pair: Bombardier J. Baker, Royal Marine Artillery

Crimea 1854-56, 2 clasps, Balaklava, Sebastopol (Josh. Baker, R.M.A.), officially impressed naming; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue (Josh. Baker, R.M.A.), contemporary engraved naming, edge bruising and contact marks, thus fine and better (2) £300-350

Joseph Baker was born near Exeter, Devon and enlisted in the Royal Marines locally in December 1852, aged 18 years. As confirmed by his discharge papers, ‘He served in H.M.S. London in 1854-55 and was present at the bombardment of the seafront of Sebastopol on 17 October 1854 and was also present in the Marine Battalion at the Battle of Balaklava; served in H.M.S. Sanspareil in China in 1857 and was present at the capture of Canton. He is in possession of the Crimea Medal & clasps for Sebastopol and Balaklava, the Turkish Crimea Medal, the China Medal & clasp for Canton, and the Medal for Long Service & Good Conduct with a gratuity of £5.’ Baker actually transferred to the Royal Marine Artillery in October 1860, was appointed Bombardier in October 1869 and was finally discharged in January 1874.