Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Lt. Col. Maxwell. 46th. Regt.) contemporarily engraved naming, minor contact marks, very fine £300-£400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the 46th Foot and its Successor Units.

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Alexander Maxwell was commissioned Ensign by purchase in the 46th Regiment of Foot on 19 June 1835, and was promoted Lieutenant by purchase on 28 December 1838; Captain by purchase on 27 September 1842; and Major by purchase on 19 September 1848. He served in the Crimea from 8 November 1854, and, having been promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 12 December 1854, commanded the 46th Foot at the siege and fall of Sebastopol (Medal and clasp; C.B.; Knight of the Legion of Honour; Fifth Class of the Ottoman Order of the Medjidieh; and Turkish Crimea Medal).

Maxwell was promoted Colonel on 12 December 1857, and placed on half-pay on 21 February 1860. He was advanced Major-General on 6 March 1868; Lieutenant-General on 1 October 1877, and was appointed Colonel of the 34th Regiment of Foot on 9 April 1879. He was promoted to full General on 19 April 1880. His letters from the Crimea are in the archives of the University of Birmingham.

Sold with a cutting from a letter containing the recipient’s autograph: ‘Maxwell, Lt. Colonel, Commanding 46th Regiment.’