Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A ‘Heavy Brigade’ Crimea Medal awarded to Shoeing Smith C. Lakin, 4th Dragoon Guards, formerly 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Balaclava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (C. Lakin. 6th Dragoons.) officially impressed naming, additionally engraved ‘No. 856’ and ‘6th D.’ to either side of impressed naming, left hand rivet popped between first two clasps, heavy contact marks and edge bruising, otherwise nearly very fine £1400-1800

Charles Lakin was born in Weford, Lichfield, Staffordshire, and, a servant by trade, attested for the 6th Dragoons, in Birmingham, on 4 October 1845, aged 19. He served in the Crimea, Turkey and the East Indies as Private and was ‘present at the Battles of Balaclava, Inkermann and Sebastopol. He was appointed Farrier in 1858 and was discharged at his own request on 30 December 1859, at Kirkee, East Indies, intending to reside in the High Street, Birmingham. On 2 February 1861, Charles Lakin re-attested in Birmingham for the 4th Dragoon Guards and was appointed Shoeing Smith in 1863. He was finally discharged in Liverpool, with 5 good conduct badges, on 5 April 1870, after 24 years’ service, and intending to reside in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Sold together with two hallmarked silver fobs; and a cased Daguerrotype portrait of the recipient in 6th Dragoons uniform wearing a fob to right shoulder, the ‘hinge’ of the case broken.