Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Crimean War D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant-Major Thomas Pegg, 17th Foot, who ‘distinguished himself by general zeal and gallantry at the Siege of Sebastopol’, and was later Sergeant Instructor of the Stafford Rifle Volunteers

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (Color Serjt. T. Pegg. 17th Foot.) officially impressed naming; Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Color Serjt. T. Pegg 17th Foot) contemporary engraved naming; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., small letter reverse (1925 Sjt.-Mjr. T. Pegg. 1st Bn. 17th Regt.); Turkish Crimea, Sardinian issue (Color Serjt. T. Pegg 17th Foot) contemporary engraved naming, plugged at 12 o’clock and fitted with scroll suspension, dark toned, edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise generally good fine (4) £2200-2600

Provenance: Crimean medals from the Collection of Medals to the Leicester Regiment formed by the late Trevor Harris, Dix Noonan Webb, September 2005; L.S. & G.C. medal, Dix Noonan Webb, September 2001, and since reunited.

D.C.M. Recommendation dated 12 March 1855, with Gratuity of £15.

Thomas Pegg was born in the Parish of Uttoxeter, Staffordshire and enlisted in the 17th Regiment on 3 January 1843, aged 19 years. Advanced to Corporal in October 1846, to Sergeant in October of the following year and to Colour-Sergeant in October 1852, he served overseas in the East Indies, 3 years 5 months; Gibraltar, 7 months; in the Crimea, 8 months; Malta, 11 months; and in North America, 2 years 11 months.

Pegg served in the Crimea and was ‘present at the Siege of Sebastopol from 19th December 1854 to 1st August 1855, including the Assault of the Great Redan on the 18th June 1855’ and ‘distinguished himself by general zeal and gallantry at the Siege of Sebastopol.’ He was also awarded the L.S. & G.C. with Gratuity of £15, and was discharged in the rank of Sergeant-Major in January 1864.

Pegg afterwards served for many years in the 2nd Staffordshire Militia and in the Staffordshire Rifle Volunteers. He died at Stafford on 25 June 1886, the following obituary being published in the Staffordshire Advertiser:

‘death of a military veteran - We regret to announce the death of Sergt.-Major Thomas Pegg last (Friday) evening, at the age of 63. The immediate cause of death was dropsy, but the deceased had been in failing health for some months, although only confined to the house a little over a week. Sergt.-Major Pegg had served his country for 40 years successively in the Line, the Militia, and the Volunteers. He had seen much service, having taken part in the Crimean War, besides serving in India and Canada. By his intelligence and good conduct he rose rapidly from private to non-commissioned officer, and subsequently became sergeant-major of his regiment, the 1st Battalion 17th Foot; and during this time he received no less than six testimonials. His service of 14 years in the 2nd Staffordshire Militia and 18 in the Stafford Volunteers was no less meritorious. He had received four medals - the Crimean, with bar for Sebastopol; the Turkish, one for distinguished conduct in the field, and a fourth for long service and good conduct. The deceased was well known as a first-rate drill, and his death will be generally regretted.’

He was buried in Castle Church cemetery, Stafford, with the following inscription on his headstone:

‘In affectionate remembrance of
Thomas Pegg
Born at
Uttoxeter Heath
Sergeant Major
1st Batt. Leicester Regt. 17th Foot
afterwards of the
2nd King’s Own Stafford Militia
Finally for 21 Years
Sergeant Instructor
Stafford Rifle Volunteers
Died June 25th 1886
Aged 62 Years.

An upright man and exemplary soldier
served his country in India and
with distinction in the Crimean campaign and subsequently in Canada.’

Sold with copied discharge papers and comprehensive research.