Orders, Decorations and Medals

Five: Sergeant-Major James Donelan, 44th Regiment, later Yeoman of the Guard at the Tower of London

Jubilee 1887, clasp, 1897, bronze (Yeoman of H.M.R.B. Guard); Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Color Serjt., 44th Regt.) regimentally impressed naming; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., small letter reverse (2170 Serjt. Mjr., 44th Foot); Medaille Militaire, 2nd Empire, Crimean issue, lacking all enamel; Turkish Crimea, Sardinian issue (Color Serjt., 44th Regt.) regimentally impressed naming, nearly very fine or better and scarce (5) £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals to the Essex Regiment from the Collection of Jack Webb.

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James Donelan was born at Kilcarnick, near Kenagh, Co. Longford, and attested for the 44th Regiment at Athlone on 13 February 1844, aged 20. He was promoted to Corporal in April 1844, Sergeant in July 1844, Colour Sergeant in July 1847, and Sergeant-Major in March 1861. He was particularly mentioned for gallantry during the attack on Sebastopol in the despatches of Maj-General Sir William Eyre, K.C.B., and awarded the French Medaille Militaire by Emperor Napoleon III: ‘He served throughout the campaign and at the siege of Sebastopol until Spring, 1856, never in good health but persisted in remaining on duty.’ He received the L.S. & G.C. Medal with a £5 Gratuity in November 1863, and retired to Pension at Colchester on 24 March 1864. Donelan was subsequently appointed Sergeant-Instructor to the 37th Middlesex Rifles, and later went to Ireland as Sergeant-Instructor of Militia. He returned to England and for some time acted as orderly-room Clerk at the Militia Barracks situated at Well Walk, Hampstead. He was appointed to Her Majesty’s Yeoman of the Guard on 12 April 1872, and served as a Yeoman until his death on 9 January 1900. Sold with copy service papers and a report of his death from the Hampstead & Highgate Express.