Three: Private T. Powell, 1st Royal Dragoons, who served with the Heavy Brigade at the Battle of Balaklava, 25 October 1854

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Thos. Powell Royal Dns.) contemporarily engraved naming, suspension post re-pinned; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (988 Thos. Powell 1st Dragoons) suspension claw re-affixed; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue (Thos. Powell 1st Royal Dragoons) contemporarily engraved naming, with claw and ring suspension, light contact marks and minor edge bruising, nearly very fine and better (3) £1400-1800

Provenance: Glendining’s, November 1987; Buckland Dix and Wood, July 1993

Thomas Powell was born in London in 1828 and attested for the 1st Royal Dragoons at Westminster on 12 August 1846. He served with the Regiment in the Crimea for two years, and was present at all the actions in which the regiment were engaged, including with the Heavy Brigade at the Battle of Balaklava, 25 October 1854. He is listed in the latest reconstructed list of ‘Chargers’ as ‘Probably rode in the Charge’, and indeed most members of the Heavy Brigade who were entitled to the Balaklava clasp, in the absence of any evidence or status details to the contrary, did take part in the charge. He was awarded his Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, together with a gratuity of £5, on 30 June 1868, and was discharged on 22 August 1871, after 24 years and 346 days’ service.