Crimean War Medal 1854-56, with clasps, 'Alma', 'Inkermann', and 'Sebastopol', awarded to Colonel Thomas Egerton, 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'.

Thomas Graham Egerton was first commissioned into the 77th (The West Middlesex) Regiment of Foot in December 1829, taking over its command with the purchase of his Lieutenant-Colonelcy on 27 December 1850. He greatly distinguished himself at the Battle of Inkerman on 5 November 1854 by leading four companies of his Regiment - just 259 men - in a successful attack against a Russian regiment 1500-strong.

An unmistakable figure, six feet eight inches tall, Egerton was promoted colonel on 28 November 1854. He was killed on 19 April 1855 at the moment of victory during the attack led by him against the Russian rifle pits, the regimental history telling how, 'as Colonel Egerton was pointing out the flying Russians to Captain Chawner, he was struck in the mouth by a rifle bullet, which, carrying away four of his front teeth, passed through the spine at the back of his neck, and he fell dead.'.

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.