Turkish Crimea Medal : Sergeant J J Heath, 55th Regiment of Foot

Turkish Crimea Medal - British issue. Unnamed as issued. Obverse: Map of the Crimea spread over the wheel of a cannon that is resting on the Russian flag. To the left are three cannon balls and a ramrod; to the right, an anchor and a mortar. Issuing from behind the cannon are the four flags of the Aallies. The British Union Jack flies second from the right. In the exergue, 'CRIMEA 1855'. Reverse: Enclosed in a laurel wreath is the Sultan's cypher above Turkish Arabic script (Crimea) and the year 1271 (1855) in Arabic. The medal is fitted with a double ring suspender and has a piece of watered crimson ribbon (part faded) with green edges.

Awarded to 2829 Sergeant James John Heath who served in the 55th Regiment of Foot during the Crimean war. Heath was born in Staffordshire in 1819 and he worked as a labourer until his enlistment in the British Army on 22 April 1837. He participated in the Battle of Inkermann and the siege of Sevastopol during his service in the Crimean War of 1854-1856. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant during this time for good conduct and affection for duty. He was discharged from full time service after the war and was employed in the service of the Victoria London Docks Company for nearly three years, during which time he acted as a Drill Sergeant in 2 Battalion of 5th Essex Rifle Volunteers. He subsequently emigrated to Australia and became Sergeant Major of the Ballarat Volunteer Regiment, a position he had held for over twenty years at the time of his death in 1885.