Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Martin Kelly * 1190 V D.G.) contemporary engraved naming in cross-hatched serif capitals, edge bruising and contact marks, therefore good fine £500-£600

Provenance: Bought Baldwin’s, August 1965 (sold with original invoice).

Private Martin Kelly, 5th Dragoon Guards, probably rode in the charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaklava. Leaves from a Soldier’s Notebook by Henry Franks, p77, states he was in support with Franks during the Light Brigade Charge. His horse was killed along with six others by a single shell, none of the riders being injured. Three of the six men were brothers, Luke, Thomas, and Martin Kelly (Forgotten Heroes: The Charge of the Heavy Brigade by Roy Dutton refers).