Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Crimea War “Thin Red Line” D.C.M. group of three awarded to Private A. Ross, 93rd Highlanders

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (Alexr. Ross, 93rd Highlanders); Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Sebastopol (Pte. Alexr. Ross, 93rd Ft.), contemporary engraved naming; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, Hunt & Roskill die, unnamed, nearly very fine or better (3) £5000-6000

D.C.M.: recommendation dated 8 January 1855.

Alexander Ross was born in Roskeen, Ross-shire and enlisted in the 93rd Highlanders at Inverness in November 1835, aged 19 years.

Subsequently witnessing active service in the Crimea, he was present at Balaklava on 24 October 1854, when the 93rd routed the Russian cavalry and won themselves the title of “The Thin Red Line”. The Times correspondent, William Howard Russell, who standing on the hills above, could clearly see that nothing stood between the Russian cavalry and the defenceless British base but the ‘thin red streak tipped with a line of steel’ of the 93rd:

‘With breathless suspense everyone awaits the bursting of the wave [of Russian Cavalry] upon the line of Gaelic rock, but ere they came within 200 yards another deadly volley flashes from the levelled rifle, and carries terror into the Russians. They wheel about, open files right and left, and fly back faster than they came. Brave Highlanders! Well done! shout the spectators.’

Ross, who also served for 10 years in North America, was discharged at Chatham in September 1856 on account of ‘length of service and by fatigue and exposure undergone in the War in the Crimea.’

Alexander Ross was awarded a L.S. & G.C. medal and £5 gratuity in April 1855