Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Colour-Sergeant James Austin, 15th Foot, late 93rd Highlanders and 78th Highlanders, a veteran of the ‘Thin Red Line’ at Balaklava, and of the relief and capture of Lucknow

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Sebastopol (2949. ...es Austin. 93 Sutherland. Highla...rs) regimentally impressed naming; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 2 clasps, Relief of Lucknow, Lucknow (Jas. Austin, 93rd Highlanders); Army Meritorious Service Medal, E.VII.R. (C. Serjt. J. Austin. 2/15 foot.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (1646 Color Sergt. James Austin 2nd Bn. 15th Foot); Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue (..rporal James Austin 93rd..) the campaign medals with edge bruising and contact marks, better than good fine, otherwise good very fine (5) £2,000-£2,600

James Austin was born in Inverness in 1835, and attested there for the 93rd Highlanders on 18 July 1853, aged 18, a tailor by trade. He served in the Crimea and Indian Mutiny as a Private in the 93rd Highlanders. He transferred to the 78th Highlanders on 1 July 1858, was promoted to Corporal on 16 June 1860; Sergeant, 10 December 1861; and Colour-Sergeant, 12 June 1865. He was tried by Court Martial and reduced to Private for neglect of duty and telling a falsehood to his Commanding Officer on 18 September 1866.

Not surprisingly Austin transferred as a Private to the 2/15th Foot on 1 April 1867, and was promoted to Corporal on the same day, becoming Sergeant on 13 April 1867, and Colour-Sergeant on 2 October 1867. He received the medal and 5 pound Gratuity for Long Service and Good Conduct on 14 February 1872. He transferred as Colour-Sergeant to the 105 Lanark Rifle Volunteers on 16 April 1872, but re-transferred to the 2/15th Foot as Colour-Sergeant on 1 July 1874, and was appointed Canteen Sergeant on the same day. Austin was discharged on 19 January 1875, with 21 years 208 days service. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal with an Annuity of £10 on 19 October 1906, when he was living at Ballifeary, Inverness. Colour-Sergeant James Austin died at Inverness on 20 September 1908, the following obituary notice appearing in The Scotsman two days later:

‘CRIMEAN VETERAN’S DEATH AT INVERNESS - A well-known Crimean and Indian Mutiny veteran has passed away at Inverness in the person of Colour-Sergeant James Austin, who was one of the survivors of the “Thin Red Line” at Balaklava, and at the time was Sir Colin Campbell’s orderly sergeant. Sergeant Austin, who was seventy-two years of age, served throughout the whole of the Crimean campaign with the 93rd Sutherland Highlanders. Afterwards he served in the 78th Highlanders, and took part in many engagements in India. He was present at the relief and capture of Lucknow and the battle of Cawnpore, and saw a great deal of fighting with the rebels. Sergeant Austin had the Crimean medal, with clasps for Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann (sic), and the Turkish medal and the Indian Mutiny medal with clasps. He possessed also the medal for long service and good conduct, and recently received the medal for meritorious service with an annuity of ten pounds. A native of Inverness, Sergeant Austin enlisted when he was sixteen years of age.’

Sold with copied discharge papers, copied photograph of his headstone, and further research including a number of other news articles on Crimean and Indian Mutiny veterans mentioning Austin.