Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Crimea Medal awarded to Private R. Gwinnell, 11th (Prince Albert’s Own) Hussars, who was killed in the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaklava, 25 October 1854

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Sebastopol (R. Gwinnell. 11th Hussars) officially impressed naming, fitted with Bailey, Coventry silver top riband brooch, a few edge nicks, otherwise very fine £6,000-£8,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Warwick Cary.

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Reuben Gwinnell was born in 1833 at Dursley, Gloucestershire, the son of Jeremiah and Mary Gwinnell and in the 1841 Census he shown as living at Woodmancote, Dursley with his parents and six siblings. A labourer prior to his enlistment in the 11th Hussars at Bristol on 9 December 1853, aged 21, he was hospitalised in early 1854 prior to departing for the East and again when he arrived in the Crimea. Gwinnell fought with his regiment at the Battle of the Alma, 20 September 1854, and was killed in the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaklava on 25 October 1854, one of 25 N.C.O.s and men of the 11th Hussars killed in the charge.

He is confirmed on the rolls for the medal with clasps for Alma, Balaklava and Sebastopol, the remarks column on the Balaklava roll stating ‘Killed in action Octr. 25/54’.