Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Crimean War ‘Al Valore Militare’ group of four awarded to Major E. J. Ward-Ashton, Royal Artillery, who was recommended for the Victoria Cross

Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Lieut., Rl. Arty.) contemporary engraved naming; Order of the Medjidie, 5th class breast badge, silver, gold and enamel; Turkish Crimea, Sardinian issue, unnamed; Al Valore Militare (Lieutt., Rl. Artry.) generally good very fine (4) £800-1000

Edward John Ward was born on 29 October 1836 and joined the Royal Artillery as a Gentleman Cadet on 18 November 1850. He became 2nd Lieutenant on 14 August 1854, and 1st Lieutenant on 28 November the same year. He served throughout the siege of Sebastopol and was mentioned in despatches, 2 November 1855, for ‘displaying coolness and zeal’ in the trenches. He was awarded the Sardinian silver medal for valour and the 5th class of the Medjidie. According to Royal Artillery records he was also recommended for the Victoria Cross. The group is accompanied by an old frame with a contemporary label affixed to the reverse which states: ‘... Recommended for Victoria Cross for 18 June 1855 & for Cross of Legion of Honour for conduct in trenches 8 Sept. 1855.’ He subsequently assumed the additional surname of Ashton and died of pleurisy at Woolwich on 1 March 1880.