Crimea War Medal : Sergeant Major Moriarty, Turkish Cavalry

Place Europe: Ukraine, Crimea
Accession Number RELAWM14667
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Medal
Physical description Silver
Place made United Kingdom
Date made c 1855
Conflict Crimean War, 1853-1856
Description

Crimea War Medal with the bars 'SEBASTOPOL', 'INKERMANN' and 'BALAKLAVA' . The recipient's rank, name and regiment are engraved on the edge. Obverse: The diademed head of Queen Victoria with the date '1854' underneath and the legend 'VICTORIA REGINA' around the circumference. Reverse: A Roman warrior holding a sword in his right hand and a circular shield with his left whilst being crowned by a small winged figure of Victory. The word 'CRIMEA' is written vertically on the left. The medal is fitted with a foliated swivel suspender and three acorn leaf bars. A piece of 27 mm light blue ribbon with yellow edges is attached to the suspender.

History / Summary

Awarded to Sergeant Major Moriarty of the Turkish Cavalry who fought at the Battles of Sebastopol (11 September, 1854 - 9 September, 1855), Inkermann (5 November, 1854) and Balaklava ( 25 October, 1854). Moriarty was one of a number of British officers and non commissioned officers who served on detachment with the Turkish Army during the Crimean War. This medal is part of a collection assembled by the late Hon. Sir Thomas Hughes, Member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales. It was presented to the Memorial in memory of his son, Captain Roger Forrest Hughes, Australian Army Medical Corps, who died of wounds in France on 11 December 1916, and of his grandson, Flying Officer Peter Roger Forrest Hughes, 12 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, who was killed on active service while flying in the Northern Territory on 3 October 1942.