The collection of Medals formed by the Late Clive Nowell

Four: Lieutenant-Colonel J. De M. M. Prior, 12th Lancers

South Africa 1834-53 (Capt. J. D. M. M. Prior, 12th Lancers); Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Captn. I. de M. Prior, 12th Rl. Lancers) contemporary engraved naming; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Central India (Captn. I. De M, M, Prior, 12th Lancers); Turkish Crimea, Sardinian issue, unnamed, fitted with scroll suspension, edge bruising and contact marks, therefore good fine or better (4) £1200-1400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The collection of Medals formed by the Late Clive Nowell.

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The only officer of the 12th Lancers to receive medals for all three of these campaigns.

John de Montmorency Murray Prior was appointed Ensign in the 36th Regiment on 31 December 1841. He transferred as Cornet to the 12th Lancers in July 1843, becoming Lieutenant in 1846 and Captain in 1851. He served with the 12th Lancers throughout the Kaffir War of 1851-53 including the passage of, and the operations around, the Kei. Also in the Eastern campaign from 17 May 1855, including the battle of Tchernaya, siege and fall of Sebastopol and the operations near Eupatoria under General d’Allonville. He served during the Indian campaign of 1857-59 with the Saugor and Nerbudda Field Force including the action of Banda where he commanded the left wing of the 12th Lancers, action of Jegunge and Kobrai, relief of Kirwee and at the storming of the heights of Punwarrie (mentioned in despatches, brevets of both Major and Lieutenant-Colonel). He transferred to the 6th Dragoons in December 1860, becoming Colonel of the regiment in 1865, and Colonel of the 65th Armagh Infantry Brigade (87th & 94th) in April 1873.