Pair: Driver Robert Smeaton, ‘I’ Troop Royal Horse Artillery, awarded the Medaille Militaire for gallantly jumping into the river Belbec and rescuing a French soldier on 25 September 1854

Crimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Driver Robt. Smeaton Royal Artillery) depot impressed naming; France, Second Empire, Medaille Militaire, silver, silver-gilt and enamel, toned, good very fine (2) £600-£800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Simon C. Marriage Collection of Medals to the Artillery.

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Medaille Militaire: ‘Driver Robert Smeaton; present with the troop since its leaving Woolwich for service in the East; present at the battles of the Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Tchernaya, and siege of Sebastopol; on the 25th of September, 1854, this man gallantly jumped into the river Belbec [near Sebastopol], and succeeded in saving the life of a French soldier, who would have been drowned but for the timely assistance rendered by Driver Smeaton.’

Robert Smeaton was born near Market Harborough, Leicestershire, and attested for the Royal Artillery at Leicester on 21 December 1852, aged 19, a framework knitter by trade. Following his gallant service in the Crimea between June 1854 and June 1855, Smeaton was imprisoned on five occasions, varying in length from 30 days to 125 days, between August 1857 and November 1859. He deserted from Woolwich on 29 June 1860, then rejoined and was imprisoned from 14 November 1860 to 13 May 1861. He was imprisoned again from 4 October 1861 until 27 January 1862, and was discharged at Aldershot on the following day ‘as unworthy to remain in the Regiment.’

Sold with copied discharge papers and full confirmation of all clasps and medals.