A Heavy Brigade D.C.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant John Wale, 1st Royal Dragoons
Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (1st Rl. Drags.); Crimea 1854-55, 3 clasps, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Serjt., 1st Rl. Dragoons) officially impressed naming; Turkish Crimea, Sardinian issue, unnamed, some heavy contact wear gut better than good fine (3)

D.C.M. recommendation dated 9 January, 1855. Eight such awards to the Regiment for the Crimea.
John Wale was born in Cambridge and attested for the 6th Dragoon Guards at London in May, 1841. He was transferred to the 1st Dragoons in April 1847 and served with them in the Crimea. At the time of the battle of Balaklava he was still a Private, but was promoted Corporal on 15th February, 1855, and Sergeant on 1st December the same year. He was discharged at his own request on 1st July, 1865, aged 42.