AN OUTSTANDING THREE CLASP CRIMEA & TURKISH CRIMEA (British Type) "FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE CASUALTY" PAIR.
Clasps: ALMA, INKERMAN, SEBASTOPOL.

OFFICIALLY IMPRESSED
To:
2909. Pte H.G. TAYLOR.
44th (EAST ESSEX) FOOT REGT.
"THE FIGHTING FOURS"
Died of Disease at Scutari Hospital on 3rd January 1855

[BIOGRAPHY]
Henry George Taylor was born in 1829 and enlisted in Ireland (Lisburn) on 29th June 1846. He was 17 years 6 months old. He joined the regiment at Newry on 14th July 1846. He served at various stations in Ireland (Newry, Fermoy and Cork)

Serving in Captain Browne's company, he sailed from Cork in H.M.S. BELLEISLE on 20th June 1848, destination Malta.

HMS BELLEISLE
(A Hospital Ship during the Crimean War)


Based at Fort Ricasali in July & August 1848 and from April to June 1850 was detached to Cotoulia while still under Captain Browne.

On 25th March 1851 Taylor embarked with the first contingent of the 44th Regt e-route to Gibraltar and reached the Rock on 20th April 1851. The officers with this group were Major Gardine, Captains Danberay, Fenwick and Spring. Taylor is shown as "on guard" in May and then "attending the sick" in July 1851. In April 1852 he was again "on guard" as he was in September & November of 1853.

[TO THE CRIMEA]
During April 1854 the 44th Foot set out for the Crimea and after being at Gallipoli and Varna, Taylor earned the clasps ALMA, INKERMAN & SEBASTOPOL. He then fell sick and was sent to Scutari Hospital on 11th December 1854 where he died on 3rd January 1855.

The regiment served throughout the long siege, and notably took part in the attack on dockyard creek on 18 June 1855 and the capture of the cemetery.


FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE

Florence Nightingale arrived at Scutari Hospital on 4th November 1854, just over a month before the admission of the sick George Taylor. He would have seen or been nursed by Florence and her nurses over the Christmas & New Year of 1854-1855 before his death, probably of enteric fever and pneumonia on 3rd January.
He was only 26 years old.


Taylor seems to have been a steady soldier as he earned Good Conduct Pay from 3rd January 1852 with the only item listed in the punishment book being a two day loss of pay in April 1848.

A Really Lovely, classic and original pair in superlative condition. Both medals are in EF+ condition and retain original silk & cotton ribbons.

£995 with part exchanges welcome.