Crimea War Medal 1854-56, with three clasps, 'Alma', 'Inkermann', and 'Sebastopol', Captain Audley Lemprière, 77th (East Middlesex) Regiment of Foot

Circular silver campaign medal with, on the obverse, a portrait of Queen Victoria wearing a diadem, with the inscription, 'Victoria Regina' and date, '1854'. On the reverse, Winged Victory places a wreath on the head of a soldier in classical armour, with the inscription, 'Crimea' to the left. The medal is suspended on a pale blue ribbon with yellow edges, with clasps, 'Alma', 'Inkermann' and 'Sebastopol'.

Audley Lemprière was commissioned an ensign in the 77th (The East Middlesex) Regiment of Foot on 10 December 1852 and promoted lieutenant on 11 June 1854. The casualty rate among officers in the Crimea meant that by the tender age of twenty, shortly before his death during the attack on the Russian rifle pits on 19 April 1855, he had already been promoted captain. His memorial tablet in Newton-Valence Church near Alton states that 'He enjoyed in a remarkable degree the confidence of those above him in command, and the esteem and affection of his brother officers and men; and, from the excellence and amiability of his character, his loss is deeply lamented by all who knew him.'.

The Crimean War Medal was sanctioned by Queen Victoria on 15 December 1854 . Two clasps were also authorised at this time, for the battles of Alma (20 September 1854) and Inkerman (5 November 1854). The clasp for the battle of Balaklava (which took place before that of Inkermann, on 25 October 1854) was not authorised until 23 February 1855. The clasp for the fall of Sevastopol (9 September 1855) was granted on 13 October 1855.

Donated by Miss E M Lempriere.