Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part I)

A fine Heavy Brigade group of three to Troop Sergeant Major James Dearden, 2nd Dragoons (Scots Greys), wounded by grape shot in the charge at Balaklava

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Serjt. J. Dearden, 2nd Dragoons) officially impresssed naming; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., small letter reverse (1040 Tp. Sergt. Mjr. Jas. Dearden, 2nd Dragoons) officially impressed naming; Turkish Crimea, Sardinian issue (Troop Sergt. Major, 2nd Dragoons) engraved naming, all three fitted with contemporary silver ribbon buckles, light contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine or better (3) £3500-4000

James Dearden was born in Edinburgh and enlisted into the 8th Hussars at Dublin on 23 January 1841, aged 18 years 2 months. Promoted to Corporal in December 1845, he transferred as a Private to the 2nd Dragoons in September 1848. He was again promoted to Corporal in December 1849, to Sergeant in November 1852, and to Troop Sergeant Major in July 1854. In this rank he served in the Crimea where he was ‘wounded in the left thumb by Grape Shot received in action at Balaklava 25th October 1854.’ He reverted to Sergeant for a period of six months in July 1855 before regaining his senior rank, and was discharged at Aldershot on 21 March 1865. His discharge papers carry a later notification of an increase in his pension ‘for 15 years service as Serjt. on Permt. Staff of Earl of Chester’s Yeomy. Cav.’ Sold with copy discharge papers.