Auction Catalogue

25 & 26 March 2013

Starting at 12:00 PM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

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Lot

№ 955

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26 March 2013

Hammer Price:
£3,400

A fine Crimean War ‘Medaille Militaire’ group of four awarded to Colour Sergeant John Coughlan, 57th Regiment, who rescued a captured French officer from two Russian officers, both of whom he killed

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (No. 1569 Colr. Serjt. John Coughlan 57th Regt.) regimentally impressed naming; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., small letter reverse (1569. Cr. Serjt. John Coughlan, 57th Foot); Medaille Militaire, silver, gilt and enamel, badly chipped; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue (1569 Colr. Segr. John Coughlan, 57th Regiment) nearly very fine (4) £2000-2500

Sold with original award document for Medaille Militaire, dated 20 August 1856, this much repaired, two sergeant’s stripes and bullion crown, and a contemporary cutting from a local newspaper with his obituary which states:

‘In the death of Colour-Sergeant John Coughlan the county has lost another of its Crimean heroes and Cannock an old and interesting inhabitant. He died on Thursday week, at Bridgetown, where he had resided for a few years, in the 74th year of his age. At one time he was a familiar form in Cannock and district and he had many friends. He was admired and respected for the valiant part he took in the memorable war and also in the Indian Mutiny [no trace on medal roll, regiment not present], and when he retired from the service he was in possession of the Balaklava, Inkerman, and Sebastopol clasps and a French gold medal for bravery and valour, conferred on him by direction of the Emperor Napoleon for rescuing a French officer who had fallen into the hands of two Russian officers, both of whom Coughlan killed, and carried the officer back to the trenches. Some years ago the Sergeant was drill instructor to the local volunteers. He then went to live at Hednesford, leaving the Walsall-road, Cannock. In after life he returned to Cannock and again lived in the Walsall-road, from where he removed to his last home in Bridgetown.’

John Coughlan was born at Killenaule, County Tipperary, and was attested for the 57th Foot at Kilkenny on 24 February 1841, aged 21. He was promoted to Corporal in January 1847 and to Sergeant in October 1848. Although tried by a regimental court martial in January 1855 and sentenced to be reduced, this was remitted almost immediately with no consequent loss of rank or time. He was appointed Colour-Sergeant in August 1855 and remained in that rank until his discharge at Cork on 15 March 1862, having completed 21 years service. During this time he served abroad 8 years 5 months, in the East Indies 3 years 9 months, Corfu 1 year 6 months, the Crimea 1 year 8 months, and at Malta 1 years 6 months.