Crimea Medal 1854-56, (3) clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Sebastopol to Captain The Hon, George Grant, 42nd Highlanders.
(Capn. The Hon. G. H. E. Grant, 42nd Highrs.)
Hunt & Roskell engraved naming, with original silk riband and buckle, contained in an old fitted Hunt & Roskell leather case, trace of minor engraver’s correction to name, good very fine.
Provenance: John Hillard Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, March 2010. Also Jaeger Medals 2016
George Henry Essex Grant was born in February 1825, a younger son of Colonel Francis Ogilvy-Grant, the 6th Earl of Seafield, scion of an ancient and noble Scottish family and, in addition to his military career, a Member of Parliament for Elginshire and Nairnshire.
Commissioned Ensign in the 42nd Highlanders in November 1841, Grant attained the rank of Captain shortly before his embarkation for active service in the Crimea, in which conflict he qualified for the above Medal and clasps (the published regimental medal roll refers). Most notably, therefore, he would have been present at the regiment’s uphill advance at Alma, when Sir Colin Campbell famously ordered “Forward 42nd!” - an action that ultimately cost the regiment over 40 killed or wounded.
Grant married Eleanora Cumming, daughter of Sir William Cumming, Bt., on his return from the East in 1855, was placed on the Retired List in April 1865. Subsequently changing his name to Ogilvy-Grant, he died at Crieff in May 1873, aged 48 years.
With a copied photographic image of the recipient and research, mainly genealogical and peerage info.
