Description
Turkish Crimea, impressed in depot style to Private George Sandham, 5th “Princess Charlotte of Wales’s“ Dragoon Guards, present at Balaklava and “Probably” Charged with the Heavy Brigade.
Regimentally impressed naming: “NO 675 PT. G. SANDHAM 5th DRAGOON GDs.”
Fitted with a contemporary ring and swivelling bar suspension.
With copy service records.
675 Private George Sandham, 5th Dragoon Guards, is shown in the book “Charge of the Heavy Brigade” which concludes he “Probably Rode in the Charge” and was shown on the musters as effective from the 1st October to the 31st December, being entitled to the Crimean War Medal, with 3 bars, Balaklava, Inkermann and Sebastopol.
Medal Roll for Crimea Medal makes no remarks about how the matching medal would be named, likely impressed in similar regimental style or unnamed.
He served a lengthy 24 years with the regiment, also earning a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
George Sandham was born in Woodhouse, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
Balaklava came a long time into his career, George Sandham, first attested for service with the 5th Dragoon Guards on 1st January 1840 at the young age of 18.
He served a long time, amassing 24 years 16 days of Army service all with the 5th Dragoon Guards, he had a flawless record with no mentions in the Defaulter’s Books or any Court Martials, but seems to have chosen to remain as a Private throughout his time.
As the 5th Dragoon Guards were mostly stationed at home, he had only spent 2 years overseas on service during this time, all being spent in “The Crimea” during the war.
His conduct was said to be:
“His conduct has been Very Good and he is in possession of 5 Good Conduct badges, has the Silver Medal and Gratuity ‘For Good Conduct and Long Service; and the Crimean Medal with clasps for Balaklava, Inkermann and Sebastopol and the Turkish Medal (This medal).”
With his discharge he was 42 years old and intended to live in Hockley, Birmingham.
