A MAGNIFICENT "MINT STATE" THREE CLASP "CASUALTY" CRIMEA MEDAL,
ALMA, BALAKLAVA, SEBASTOPOL
To: (4125) JONn (Jonathan) PARKER. 1st Bn COLDSTREAM GUARDS.
DIED OF DISEASE 10th FEBRUARY 1855
This medal is an interesting piece. Not only is it in seriously good condition (Gem Mint State) but having been mis-described (probably for over 100 years) it's 'enigmatic' history has finally been unravelled.
The naming is "JONn PARKER" which of course is not JOHN.... It's JONATHAN !!!!
After exhaustive initial research in the name of ''John Parker" there were found to be '5' men of this name in the Coldstream Guards as a whole, none of whom had this clasp combination. We thus realised that we were barking up the wrong tree, and found that this man was in fact JONATHAN PARKER (of which there is only one in the 1st Coldstream Guards !) Upon inspecting the rolls it also becomes clear that even at the time of compilation there was understandable confusion over his Christian name as he's referred to as John twice...& Jonathan twice ....but with the same number '4125" throughout.
He is seen listed on the rolls for "ALMA", BALAKLAVA" & "SEBASTOPOL" clasps but on the INKERMANN roll the initials "W.O." ("Worn Out") is entered in the appropriate box. Clearly, Jonathan was ill (probably with dysentery) at the time of the battle of Inkermann and hence did not qualify for the clasp.He clearly recovered from his initial bout of the illness, but sadly finally succumbed to it's ravishes in early 1855.
JONATHAN PARKER DIED AT SCUTARI HOSPITAL,
10th FEBRUARY 1855
(Probably of Dysentery and as a Florence Nightingale Patient.)
*NOTE: Ironically and immediately below this listing we are also offering the four clasp medal to 4009 CPL. R. BURNETT. 1st COLDSTREAM GUARDS who also died at Scutari Hospital just 8 days later on 18th February 1855. We feel that it's inconceivable that these two men did not know each other. With a Rare 'Bailey of Coventry' EAGLE & WREATH Top Mount.
(Patented 10th October 1856) and still on the original mint ribbon!
THIS IS AN EXCEPTIONAL MEDAL IN PRACTICALLY F.D.C. CONDITION....so if you collect high grade specimen awards this is for you. ......
VERY RARE THIS NICE !!
£1550 with part-exchanges welcome !