Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A ‘Light Brigade’ pair awarded to Private J. McNeil, 4th Light Dragoons, who was recorded as ‘present at the famous Battle of Balaclava, and was one of the “Six Hundred” who rode “into the jaws of death” on the terrible 25th of October. During the charge he was wounded by a Russian huzzar. Whilst attacked by two of them, and defending himself on one side, he received a sabre slash across the face, which divided his nose. He, however, succeeded in severing the bridle of one of his adversaries, which left his opponent entirely at his mercy. He was then wounded in the leg, and subsequently taken prisoner by the Russians’

Crimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (J. McNeil. 4th Lt. Dragns.) officially impressed naming, scratch to obverse, contact marks; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, unnamed as issued, and pierced for ring suspension as issued, mounted for wear on a contemporary silver double top riband buckle, housed in a custom made case, good fine (2) £3000-4000

James McNeil (also listed as ‘McNeill’) was born in Leigh, Lancashire, and attested for the 4th Light Dragoons at Westminster, in February 1852. He served with the Regiment in the Crimea, and is entitled to all four clasps. His name does not appear on the latest reconstructed list of “Chargers”, however, most members of the Light Brigade entitled to the Balaklava clasp, in the absence of any evidence or status details to the contrary, took part in the Charge, and their absence from one of more reconstructions does not preclude them from having taken part in the Charge of the Light Brigade.

Lummis and Wynn record the following in relation to McNeil, ‘a medal with Alma clasp only was sold at Sotheby’s on 9th February 1886 and was formerly in the Whitaker Collection.’ McNeil’s obituary which appeared in The Leigh Chronicle of January 1876 gives the following:

‘On Friday, the 14th inst., James McNeil died at his residence, Doctor’s Nook, Leigh, aged 45, from consumption. The deceased’s father will be recollected as having been a large grocer in the town, formerly keeping a shop in Bradshawgate. The deceased was apprenticed to Messrs. Benyon and Robinson, grocers, Manchester, but the business was hardly to his taste, and, under the influence of a desire to see something of life, he went to London, where he enlisted in the 4th Light Dragoons... and was sent with his regiment to the Crimea, where war had just broken out. He was present at the famous Battle of Balaclava, and was one of the “Six Hundred” who rode “into the jaws of death” on the terrible 25th of October. During the charge he was wounded by a Russian huzzar. Whilst attacked by two of them, and defending himself on one side, he received a sabre slash across the face, which divided his nose. He, however, succeeded in severing the bridle of one of his adversaries, which left his opponent entirely at his mercy. He was then wounded in the leg, and subsequently taken prisoner by the Russians. He was, however, only kept in durance a short time till an exchange was effected, when he regained his liberty. The deceased had received a good education, and served in the capacities of corporal and sergeant. He was never contented for any length of time to lead a life of inactivity, and after the termination of the Russian War he again entered the army, where he remained till he received his discharge and pension three years ago.’

McNeil is not recorded on the latest published casualty roll. He transferred to the 16th Lancers in June 1865, and was discharged 15 August 1873, having served 21 years and 77 days. McNeil died in January 1876.