Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Inkermann, Sebastopol (T. Barge. 1st. Batn. Rifle Bde.) officially impressed naming, very fine £400-£500

Thomas Barge attested for the Rifle Brigade and served with the 1st Battalion in the Crimea He was killed in action on 20 November 1854, when some 200 men of the 1st Battalion carried out a bold night assault on the Russian-held rifle pits (or ‘ovens’) on the high ground before Sebastopol. Despite mounting casualties and fierce counter-attacks, with the enemy pouring ‘grape and cannister’ on their foe, the gallant Rifleman captured, and held, their objective. For their gallantry and leadership on this occasion, Lieutenants W. J. M. Cunninghame and C. T. Bourchier were both awarded the Victoria Cross.