A RARE & CLASSIC CRIMEA MEDAL
Four clasps
ALMA, BALACLAVA, INKERMANN, SEBASTOPOL
To:
6393. Private. Walter Gathercole. 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards.
Killed-in-Action
5th November 1854.
Walter Gathercole was Killed-in-Action during the infamous Guards action to hold the Sandbag Battery at Inkermann.
Walter was born in Cressingham, near Swaffham in Norfolk in 1833.
CRESSINGHAM CHURCH where Walter was almost certainly Chistened.
He enlisted into the Grenadier Guards on 30th November 1852. At the time of his formal attestation at Kings Lynn on 2nd December 1852 he is shown as being 19 years of age and having worked as a Gamekeeper. Served for 1 year and 339 days before his death in action while defending the famous Sandbag Battery at Inkermann on 5th November 1854.
NOTE: This man is shown on the same casualty role as Pte William Beard who's similar medal is listed next on the site.
Also entitled to a Turkish Crimea Medal.
SURVIVING MEN OF 3rd GRENADIER GUARDS SEEN AT ALDERSHOT IN 1856 "The defence of the Sandbag Battery during the Battle of Inkermann took place in thick fog against overwhelming odds and is one of the epics of British military history. On that day the Brigade of Guards, of which the 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards formed part, lost 44 men killed, which was half it's officers and men, but not a single prisoner or an inch of ground "
(EF with early silk ribbon and rare dated 'October 10th 1856' floral top silver brooch mount by Bailey of Coventry )
Another sheer classic.
SOLD