Pair: Gunner J. Lavery, Royal Artillery

Crimea 1854-56, 2 clasps, Alma, Balaklava (B Batty. R.A.); Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue (B Batty. R.A.), both with depot impressed naming, the first with copy ‘Balaklava’ clasp, refixed suspension claw, contact marks and edge bruising, fine, the second polished but rather better (2) £80-100

John Lavery was born in the Parish of Aughalee, Co. Down and enlisted in the Royal Artillery in October 1849, aged 18 years. Appointed to the 11th Battalion, R.A. in August 1854, he served out in the Crimea and Turkey until July 1856, winning entitlement to the Medal with four clasps, and in China between April 1860 and April 1861, winning entitlement to the Medal with clasp for ‘Taku Forts’. Lavery, who was also awarded the L.S. & G.C. Medal, was discharged in August 1871.