Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Colour Sergeant F. F. Cluney, 95th Regiment, wounded at Sebastopol, 23 August 1855

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Inkermann, Sebastopol (No. 2892 Color Sergt. F. F. Cuney, 95th Regt.) engraved naming, last two clasps loose on ribbon; Turkish Crimea 1855, British issue, unnamed, pierced with ring suspension; Italy, Kingdom of Sardinia, Al Valore Militare, ‘Spedizione d’Oriente 1855-1856’ reverse, silver cast copy, unnamed, first with edge bruising and contact marks, good fine; second good very fine (2) £400-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A fine Collection of Medals to the Sherwood Foresters.

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Al Valore Militare London Gazette 7 August 1855.

Francis Cluney was born in Stepney and was attested for the St. Helena Regiment on 31 January 1842, aged 14 years. With them he variously ranked as a Private or Drummer. Promoted to Corporal in April 1853, he was transferred to the 95th Regiment in June 1853. Promoted to Drum Major in November 1853 and to Colour Sergeant in March 1855. He served overseas on St. Helena for nearly 11 years and in the Crimea for 2 years, 3 months. With the 95th in the Crimea, he was slightly wounded at Sebastopol, 23 July 1855 (London Gazette 7 August 1855). Cluney was awarded the Sardinian Al Valore Militare in silver - ‘he discovered and dug out of the ground a number of fougasses (mines) laid by the enemy, and by the explosion of some of which several men were wounded on 9th of June 1855’. Awarded the L.S. & G.C. Medal and a gratuity of £15 on 16 June 1864. He was discharged at his own request on 1 February 1867.

With copied discharge papers.