Description
Crimea Medal with Alma, Inkerman & Sebastopol clasps to 33rd Duke of Wellington’s Regiment of Foot.
medal – named to C. Palmer. 33rd Regt (officially impressed). .
Battle of Alma, bitter fighting took place, with the 33rd being part of the Light Division under the command of Sir George Brown. The British advanced up the slope towards the Russian positions. The British formations became intermingled, turning into a mass of soldiers, rather than the professional, neat formations used on parade. As they charged, numerous Russian troops came down the slope to meet them. The British halted and fired, causing so many casualties the Russians were forced to retreat. The British line re-organised and moved up the slope towards the Great Redoubt, with the 33rd being the first to attack the defence works. The 33rd suffered heavy casualties: 7 officers and 232 men in the hand-to-hand combat that ensued.
Battle of Inkerman, the 33rd were again involved in some bitter fighting, in which the British infantry advanced despite heavy losses and a strong defence by the Russians. The fighting was fierce, at times some soldiers resorting to attacking their enemy with the butts of their guns. The 33rd suffered further casualties: 3 officers and 61 men.
Siege of Sebastopol, the 33rd was involved in the siege which lasted for 11 months. By 1856, the war was over but for little gain.
medal condition – Edge knock, obverse at 6 O’clock
