MEDAL INFORMATION
Turkish Crimea Medal (1854-56)
Face
A cannon, an anchor,
and a mortar with the flags of the Allies: Turkey, France, Great Britain
and Sardinia above and behind in varying arrangements. In the space
below, an inscription: “CRIMEA 1855” on medals for issue to British
servicemen, which may also be recognised by the Union Jack being second
flag from the right.
Reverse
The cipher of the
Sultan of Turkey and the Mohammedan date 1271 all within a wreath.
Size
Approx. 37 mm in
diameter. The thickness of the disc of this medal is rather less than
that of medals issued by the British Government.
Composition
Silver. Some medals
of the ‘Sardinian’ pattern are to be found apparently with a purer silver
content than the general issues and of a superior finish, but of a
slightly different size. These medals bear the initials ‘C.B.’ and are
believed to have been struck privately and unofficially.
Ribbon
Approx. 32 mm wide of
watered crimson with dark green edges each approx. 4 mm wide.
Suspension
Originally issued with
a plain ring approx. 12 mm diameter looped through a smaller ring approx.
7 mm diameter which passes through a hole in the top of the disc of the
medal. Many medals have had this rather flimsy suspension replaced by one
of the ornamental or straight bar suspenders more usually found on British
medals - that of the British Crimea Medal being frequently found on the
Turkish medal.
Naming
Issued un-named but
many British recipients had their medals privately named on the edge.
Awarded
By the Sultan of
Turkey to all British, French and Sardinian servicemen who served in the
Crimean Campaign of 1854-56. Although three types of medal were struck
for the different nationalities British servicemen were issued
indiscriminately with either a British, French or Sardinian type medal due
to a ship carrying British type medals being wrecked, when many of the
medals were lost.
The King’s Own
The Regiment served
throughout the Crimean Campaign, being present at the Alma, Inkerman and
the Siege of Sebastopol. According to contemporary Regimental Records
some 1417 officers and men qualified for the British Crimea Medal and the
Turkish Crimea Medal.
Turkish Crimea Medals in the museum's
collection
The Turkish Crimea Medal
