Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (J. Canning. 2nd Dragns.) officially impressed naming, very fine £1200-1500

James Canning was born in October 1827 and enlisted into the 2nd Dragoons at Edinburgh on 13 April 1846, for an unlimited period of engagement. He embarked with the regiment during April-June 1854 for service in the Crimea. The muster rolls confirm that Canning was on active duty with his regiment for the whole of the quarter of the 1st October to the 31st December 1854, and it is most probable, therefore, that he took part in the famous charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaklava, in which the Scots Greys had two men killed and fifty-six wounded. Seven men were awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Canning returned from the Crimea during the latter part of 1855, subsequently purchasing his discharge from the army in September 1856.

It should be noted that the 2nd Dragoons were not present at Inkermann and that Canning’s medal should technically have clasps for Balaklava and Sebastopol only. The mistake is easily explained by examining the regimental medal roll compiled ‘Camp Crimea. 11 January 1855’ (WO 100/24) which clearly shows the letter ‘I’ in the column for ‘Inkermann Novr. 5’ against many names, including Canning, in addition to the letter ‘B’ to indicate entitlement to the clasp for Balaklava. Consequently many men of the 2nd Dragoons were officially issued with the Inkermann clasp. A separate roll was compiled in November 1855 listing those entitled to clasps for Sebastopol, most of which were despatched as loose clasps at a later date. Sold with copies of relevant medal and muster rolls.