Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Major-General A. Templeman, 21st Fusiliers, one of Kinglake’s ‘superb Fusiliers’ who was wounded at Inkermann: of the 400 or so men from his battalion who went into action that day, seven officers, six Sergeants and 114 men were killed or wounded

Crimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Captn. A. Templeman. 21st Fusiliers) contemporarily engraved naming, top lugs removed, several unofficial rivets; France, Second Empire, Legion of Honour, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver, gold and enamel, enamel damage; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue (Captn. A. Templeman. 21st Fusiliers), a contemporary tailor’s copy, by ‘J.B.’, swivel-ring suspension, generally very fine unless otherwise stated (3) £800-£1,200

Alfred Templeman was born in Uplyme, Devonshire in 1833. He purchased the commission of 2nd Lieutenant in the 21st Regiment on 26 March 1852 and the rank of Lieutenant on 4 March 1853. Templeman served throughout the Crimean War and was slightly wounded at Inkermann (London Gazette 22 November 1854). He also served at the attack on the Redan, 18 June 1855 and in the expedition to Kinburn. For his services he was awarded the Legion of Honour, 5th Class (London Gazette 4 August 1856) and promoted to Captain without purchase on 2 February 1855 (London Gazette 2 February 1855).

Templeman was appointed Instructor of Musketry in November 1857 and gained the rank of Major by purchase in February 1868. Awarded the Brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel in March 1877 (London Gazette 20 April 1877) and advanced to that rank in January 1878. Appointed Colonel in the Royal Scots Fusiliers (London Gazette 26 July 1881) and placed on Half Pay, 14 March 1883. Latterly appointed Honorary Major-General. Retiring to Hazelwood, Budleigh Salterton, Devonshire, he died on 7 December 1914. A plaque in remembrance of him may be found in Ayr Auld Kirk; sold with a quantity of copied research, together with a C.D.