Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A ‘Heavy Brigade’ group of three awarded to Troop Sergeant-Major W. Handcox, 4th Dragoon Guards

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (C[or]pl. Wm. Handcox, 4th Dn. G[d]s.) contemporary engraved naming; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small reverse letters (1068 T. Sergt. Mjr. W. Handcox, 4th Dn. Gds.); Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue (Serjt. W. Hancox (sic), 4 Dn. Gds.) engraved naming, fitted with a swivel ring suspension, note slight variation in surname, first and last with edge bruising and contact marks, fine; second with minor contact marks, good very fine (3) £1000-1200

William Handcox was born in Bubbenhall, near Coventry, Warwickshire. A Labourer by occupation, he attested for the 4th Dragoon Guards at Coventry on 10 April 1851, aged 19 years, 6 months. With the regiment he served in Turkey and the Crimea for 8 months for which he was awarded the British Crimea Medal with three clasps and the Turkish Crimea Medal. His clasp for ‘Balaklava’ indicates his presence at the charge of the Heavy Brigade. Troop Sergeant-Major Handcox was discharged to a pension at his own request at Belfast on 14 April 1873.