Crimea War Medal 1854-56, with clasp, 'Sebastopol'

One of two Crimea War Medals relating to Captain William Gair, 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers).

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 a clasp, 'Sebastopol'.

Gair served as a Deputy Assistant Commissary, Field Train Department in the Crimea. In 1857 he was commissioned into the 3rd West India Regiment, transferring as a cornet in 1858 to the 6th Regiment of Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers), with which he served in India during the suppression of the mutiny within the Bengal Army. In 1864, as a captain, he joined the 77th (The East Middlesex) Regiment of Foot and remained in service until his death on 30 July 1867.

The Crimea Medal was a campaign medal awarded to all ranks of service personnel who served in the Crimean War (1854-1856). Clasps were awarded for the major engagements of the war, in this case, for the siege of the Russian naval base at Sevastopol.

From a medal group relating to Captain William Gair, 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers).