Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Crimea Medal awarded to Private W. Ramsey, 93rd Highlanders, one of the ‘Thin Red Line’ at the Battle of Balaklava

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Sebastopol (W. Ramsay. 93rd. Regt.) officially impressed naming, minor scratches and edge bruising, very fine £700-£900

William Ramsay served with the 93rd Highlanders 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.’