The Collection of Medals formed by the late John Darwent

Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue (828 R. Ashton, XI P.A.O. Hussars) regimentally impressed naming, with Hunt & Roskell riband buckle, edge bruising and polished, about very fine £180-220

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals formed by the late John Darwent.

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Robert Ashton was born in Barton, Lincolnshire and enlisted in the 11th Hussars in Yorkshire in October 1834, aged 22 years. Advanced to Corporal in July 1854, he lost his stripes later in the same year, out in the Crimea, ‘for returning drunk to camp when in charge of a forage party, on or about 29 August 1854.’ He was, nonetheless, actively engaged throughout the Crimea campaign, and fought at Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann and Sebastopol, and was, in all probability, a “charger”. He was invalided home in February 1856.

Ashton was again tried by Court-Martial in January 1858, on this occasion ‘for having been drunk when returning in charge of a Troop horse to the Royal Military College, Sandhurst on 13 December 1857, and letting him fall and break his knees.’ Found guilty, he was sentenced to 30 days imprisonment with hard labour. Yet, despite such mishaps, he is known to have been a private servant to Major (later Lieutenant-General Sir) A. L. Annesley, who eventually commanded the regiment.

Discharged at Brighton in June 1859, Ashton settled at Swinefleet, near Goole, Yorkshire, but died there shortly afterwards, in June 1860. The following announcement appeared in the ‘Deaths’ column of The Goole & Marshland Gazette on 2 July (original edition included):

‘At Swinefleet, aged 48 years, Mr. Robert C. Ashton of the 11th Hussars. He was one of the few that survived the noted Light Cavalry Charge in the Crimean War.’

Recent research reveals that Honour The Light Brigade confuses the entries for 828 Private Robert Ashton, and 1308 Private Robert Ashton, both of the 11th Hussars. Interestingly, said research alleges that the latter serviceman used the early demise of the above recipient to seek recognition for his own participation in the charge, when in fact he was not even entitled to the ‘Balaklava’ clasp: his ploy succeeded and he died in February 1901, having enjoyed regular attendance at Balaklava Society reunions.