Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Crimean War ‘Heavy Brigade’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant J. Gilligan, 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (John Gilligan, 4th R. Irish Dn. Gds.) first two letters of Christian name and ‘G’ of Gds. carefully re-tooled due to edge bruising; Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Serjt. John Gilligan, 4th Dragoon Guards) contemporarily engraved naming, converted to fixed suspension with reverse facing forwards; Turkish Crimea, Sardinian issue (Serjt. J. Gilligan. 4th. Dragoon. Gds.) contemporarily impressed naming, pierced as issued with small ring suspension, all mounted for a triple decorative silver riband bar, edge bruising and contact marks, generally nearly very fine (3) £3,000-£4,000

Dix Noonan Webb, March 2000 (when sold with an unnamed Turkish Crimea Medal); Bonhams, March 2014 (when sold with the re-united contemporarily named Turkish Crimea Medal).

D.C.M. Recommendation dated 1 January 1855.

John Gilligan attested for the 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards, and served with them in the Crimea, the musters showing him effective as a Private from 1 October to 31 December 1854. He was discharged, medically unfit, on 30 June 1868; upon his discharge his character and conduct are described as ‘very good, he was when promoted in possession of five good conduct badges. Also in possession of Crimea Medal with three clasps (for Balaklava, Inkermann and Sebastopol) and Turkish War Medal. He has also been granted a silver medal and gratuity of £5 for distinguished service in the field at the Battle of Balaklava.’ (Forgotten Heroes, The Charge of the Heavy Brigade, by Roy Dutton refers).