Turkish Crimea Medal (British issue) : Corporal W J Willson, 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade Accession Number: RELAWM14671

Description

Turkish Crimea Medal - British issue. The recipient's number, rank, name and regiment are engraved on the edge. Obverse: Map of the Crimea spread over the wheel of a cannon that is resting on the Russian flag. To the left are three cannon balls and a ramrod; to the right, an anchor and a mortar. Issuing from behind the cannon are the four flags of the Aallies. The British Union Jack flies second from the right. In the exergue, 'CRIMEA 1855'. Reverse: Enclosed in a laurel wreath is the Sultan's cypher above Turkish Arabic script (Crimea) and the year 1271 (1855) in Arabic. The medal is fitted with a double ring suspender and has a piece of watered crimson ribbon (part faded) with green edges.

Contextual Description

Named to Corporal W J Willson, 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade. His name does not appear on the British medal roll for the Crimean War, but this is not an entirely accurate document. His regimental number suggests that he might have been a late reinforcement, entitled to the Crimea Medal with Sebastopol bar. Willson's Turkish Crimea Medal, which was issued unnamed, has been privately engraved. Willson (also spelt Wilson) is listed on theThe Indian Mutiny (1857) medal roll for the Rifle Brigade as 4915 Private William J Wilson, Second Battalion. The Sultan of Turkey issued Crimea medals to the British, French and Sardinian troops who had taken part in the war. These medals are of three types, the differences being in the arrangement of flags and the Crimea spelling on the reverse. The ship carrying the British medals was shipwrecked although some medals were salvaged. British troops were issued medals indiscriminately of all three types. This medal is part of a collection assembled by the late Hon. Sir Thomas Hughes, Member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales. It was presented to the Memorial in memory of his son, Captain Roger Forrest Hughes, Australian Army Medical Corps, who died of wounds in France on 11 December 1916, and of his grandson, Flying Officer Peter Roger Forrest Hughes, 12 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, who was killed on active service while flying in the Northern Territory on 3 October 1942.