Long Service and Good Conduct Medal awarded to Sergeant Major John Motion, 93rd (Sutherland Highlanders) Regiment of Foot

John Motion (1830-1911) was born near Pitlessie in Fife and attested for the 93rd (Highland) Regiment of Foot at Perth in August 1849. He served with the 93rd for 21 years, reaching the rank of colour sergeant. He was in the Crimea for 29 months, being engaged in the Battles of the Alma and Balaklava, the Siege of Sevastopol and the expeditions to Kerch and Yenikale.

One of the 'thin red line' at Balaklava, he served as a deputy provost martial in 1855-1856, and afterwards accompanied the regiment to India, seeing action at the Relief of Lucknow and the Capture of Lucknow during the suppression of the mutiny in the Bengal Army. After leaving the Army he served for 20 years as a drill instructor on the Clyde Training Ship 'Empress'.