Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The ‘Heavy Brigade’ Crimea Medal awarded to Private A. McMillan, 2nd Dragoons, who died at Scutari on 5 January 1855

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (A. Mc.Millan. 2nd. Dragoons.) officially impressed naming, minor edge nicks, good very fine £1,600-£2,000

Alexander McMillan was born in Paisley and enlisted into the 2nd Dragoons on 26 June 1839. He embarked with the regiment during April-June 1854 for service in the Crimea, and the muster rolls confirm that McMillan was on active duty with his regiment for the period 1 October to 20 December 1854, and it is most probable, therefore, that he took part in the famous charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaklava on 25 October 1854, in which the Scots Greys had two men killed and fifty-six wounded. Seven men from the Regiment were awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

McMillan was recorded sick at Scutari from 20 December 1854, and died there on 5 January 1855.

It should be noted that the 2nd Dragoons were not present at Inkermann and that McMillan’s medal should technically have clasps for Balaklava and Sebastopol only. The mistake is easily explained by examining the regimental medal roll compiled ‘Camp Crimea. 11 January 1855’ (WO 100/24) which clearly shows the letter ‘I’ in the column for ‘Inkermann Novr. 5’ against many names, including McMillan, in addition to the letter ‘B’ to indicate entitlement to the clasp for Balaklava. Consequently many men of the 2nd Dragoons were officially issued with the Inkermann clasp. A separate roll was compiled in November 1855 listing those entitled to clasps for Sebastopol.