Three: Private Donald M’Kenzie, 42nd Regiment, a volunteer sharpshooter who was awarded the French Medaille Militaire

Crimea 1854-56, 2 clasps, Alma, Sebastopol (Donald M’Kenzie, 42nd Regt.) officially impressed naming; French Medaille Militaire, 1st type, lacking enamel to central circlet on reverse; Turkish Crimea 1855, British issue, unnamed, generally very fine (3) £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals to the 42nd and 73rd Regiments (Black Watch).

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Collection

See Colour Plate II

Only 8 awards of the Medaille Militaire to the 42nd Regiment during the Crimean War, this being an exceptional example.

“Private Donald M’Kenzie. - Volunteered as a sharpshooter at the commencement of the siege. Was employed on that duty until he was wounded on the 19th of October, 1854; and was highly spoken of by Captain Cameron, Grenadier Guards, and Lieutenant Cumming, 79th Highlanders, the officers in charge of the party. On the night of the 18th of June, 1855, during a sortie, was distinguished for his good conduct in encouraging the young soldiers, and by his example giving them confidence. The next morning he volunteered to go towards the old Russian trench from the third parallel, to bring in a missing comrade, supposed to be wounded.”