Cross belt plate : Staff Sergeant J J Heath, Ballarat Volunteer Regiment

Circular brass cross belt plate. The plate bears a laurel wreath encircling a voided silver Queen's cipher 'VR', and is surmounted by a Queen Victoria crown. The reverse of the plate has four brass screws with square nuts for attachment to the belt. The plate is bent slightly to allow for flatter positioning on the belt.

Worn by Staff Sergeant James John Heath during his service with the Ballarat Volunteer Regiment. Heath, who served in the British Army with the 55th Regiment of Foot during the Crimean war, was born in Staffordshire in 1819 and he worked as a labourer until his enlistment on 22 April 1837. He participated in the Battle of Inkermann and the siege of Sevastopol during his service in the Crimean War of 1854-1856. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant during this time for good conduct and affection for duty. He was discharged from full time service after the war and was employed in the service of the Victoria London Docks Company for nearly three years, during which time he acted as a Drill Sergeant in 2 Battalion of 5th Essex Rifle Volunteers. He subsequently emigrated to Australia and became Sergeant Major of the Ballarat Volunteer Regiment, a position he had held for over twenty years at the time of his death in 1885.