Special Collections

Sold on 31 March 2010

1 part

.

The Collection of Medals formed by The Late John Hillard

John Mackie Hillard

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Lot

№ 470 x

.

31 March 2010

Hammer Price:
£11,000

The Crimea Medal awarded to Corporal John Sewell, 8th Hussars, who was severely wounded in the famous charge of the Light Brigade and died at Scutari eight weeks later

Crimea 1854-56, 2 clasps, Balaklava, Sebastopol (Corpl. John Sewell, 8th Hussars), officially impressed naming, with contemporary riband buckle inscribed ‘Crimea’, better than very fine £6000-8000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals formed by The Late John Hillard.

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John Sewell, who was born in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, enlisted in the 8th Hussars in in London in October 1851, aged 19 years. Embarked for the Crimea in the transport Wilson Kennedy in April 1854, he was advanced to Corporal in August and participated in the famous charge of the Light Brigade on 25 October, when he was severely wounded. In that memorable action, the 8th Hussars sustained losses of two officers and 19 men killed, and two officers and 17 men wounded, in addition to another eight being taken P.O.W. For his own part, Sewell died of his wounds at Scutari on 26 December 1854, regimental musters revealing that his effects were worth less than 10 shillings after clearance of debt. He had been one of 25 Corporals to have joined the ranks of the Light Brigade on the morning of the charge, 15 of whom became casualties.