The Crimea Medal awarded to Private C. Porter, 93rd Highlanders, one of the ‘Thin Red Line’ at Balaklava, who was subsequently severely wounded and blinded during the assault on the Shah Nujeff mosque on 16 November 1857, on which day the Regiment was awarded six Victoria Crosses

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Sebastopol (2283. Christopher. Porter. 93. Sutherland. Highlanders) Depot impressed naming, edge bruising and contact marks, better than good fine £1,000-£1,400

Christopher Porter was born in Paisley, Renfrewshire, in April 1830, and attested for the 93rd (Sutherland) Highlanders at Glasgow on 14 March 1848. He served with the Regiment in the Crimea and was present at Balaklava on 25 October 1854, when the 93rd routed the Russian cavalry and won themselves the title of ‘The Thin Red Line’. The Times correspondent, William Howard Russell, who, standing on the hills above, could clearly see that nothing stood between the Russian cavalry and the defenceless British base but the ‘thin red streak tipped with a line of steel’ wrote of the 93rd:
‘With breathless suspense everyone awaits the bursting of the wave [of Russian Cavalry] upon the line of Gaelic rock, but ere they came within 200 yards another deadly volley flashes from the levelled rifle, and carries terror into the Russians. They wheel about, open files right and left, and fly back faster than they came. “Brave Highlanders! Well done!” shout the spectators.’

Porter subsequently proceeded with the Regiment to India, and saw service during the Great Sepoy Mutiny, being severely wounded and blinded when he was shot in the face by a musket ball during the assault on the Shah Nujeff mosque on 16 November 1857. He was discharged on account of his wounds on 20 July 1858.

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