Turkish Crimea Medal : Robert Stanmer, Royal Artillery

Turkish Crimea Medal - Sardinian type. Obverse: Map of the Crimea spread over the wheel of a cannon that is resting on the Russian flag. To the left are three cannon balls and a ramrod; to the right, an anchor and a mortar. Issuing from behind the cannon are the four flags of the Allies; the Sardinian flag is second from the right. In the exergue, 'LA CRIMEA 1855'. Reverse: Enclosed in a laurel wreath is the Sultan's cypher above Turkish Arabic script (Crimea) and the year 1271 (1855) in Arabic. The medal is fitted with a double ring suspender and a piece of watered crimson ribbon with green edges.

Awarded by the Sultan of Turkey for service in the Crimean War. English, French and Sardinian types were made. A shipwreck resulted in the loss of many of the British medals before they could be issued, and British troops were later received either one of the medals which had been salvaged from the wreck, or one of the other two versions made. Robert Stanmer was born in England in 1829 and enlisted in the British Army c1849, serving with the Royal Artillery. He was discharged in 1870. His discharge certificate is held in the Private Records collection.