Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Family Group:

A ‘Heavy Brigade’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant P. Fleming, 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards
Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (Corpl. Patrick Fleming. 4th R. Irish Dn. Gds.); Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Serjt. P. Fleming. 4th Dargoon Grds.) officially impressed naming; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, unnamed as issued, pierced for ring suspension, as issued, edge bruising, therefore nearly very fine or better

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (26885 Cpl. J. A. Flemming. [sic] 13th Coy. Imp: Yeo:) partially officially renamed, very fine (4) £6000-8000

Provenance: Sotheby’s, July 1991.

D.C.M. recommendation dated 1 January 1855.

Patrick Fleming was born in Mallow, County Cork, and attested for the 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards at Cork, in February 1847. He served with the Regiment in the Crimea, and took part in the famous charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaklava, 25 October 1854, and ‘his character and conduct have been very good and he was when promoted in possession of one good conduct badge and would, had he not been promoted have been now in possession of 4 good conduct badges. He is in possession of the Crimea medal with 3 clasps for Balaklava, Inkermann and Sebastopol, Turkish medal and has been granted a Silver Medal with gratuity of £10 for Distinguished Service in the Field at the battle of Balaklava.’ (Service Papers refer)

Fleming was promoted to Corporal in August 1854, and to Sergeant in August the following year. He was discharged on 21 July 1868, having served 21 years and 158 days’ with the Colours.

John Arial Fleming (or Flemming) was the son of Patrick Fleming. He served with the 13th (Shropshire) Company, 5th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry during the Second Boer War (additionally entitled to ‘South Africa 1901’ and ‘South Africa 1902’ clasps). He was severely wounded at Elandslaagte, near Klerksdorp, on 25 February 1902, and died of his wounds on 4 March of the same year.