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

The Crimean campaign medal to Captain W. T. Arnold, 4th (King’s Own) Regiment, mortally wounded and taken prisoner at Sebastopol

Crimea 1854-56, 2 clasps, Alma, Inkermann (Capt. W. T. Arnold, 4th Regt.) officially impressed naming, toned, extremely fine
£2000-2500

William Trail Arnold was appointed Ensign in the 4th (King’s Own) Regiment, by purchase, on 20 November 1846, and promoted to Lieutenant in November 1848. He purchased his captaincy on 10 February 1854. The circumstances of his mortal wound are described in the regimental history:

‘On 5th May [1855] Captain Arnold of the King’s Own was surprised and shot down as he was posting sentries in the advanced trenches; he was carried a prisoner to Sevastopol, where he died that night. Many of his men ran back to the main trench, but Private Thomas Scunelles stood firm, rallied his comrades and the position was held.’