Crimea Medal (1854-1856) : Sergeant J J Heath, 55th Regiment of Foot

Crimea War Medal 1854 -56 with the bars 'SEBASTOPOL' and 'INKERMANN'. The recipient's rank, name and regiment are impressed on the edge. Obverse: The diademed head of Queen Victoria with the date '1854' underneath and the legend 'VICTORIA REGINA' around the circumference. Reverse: A Roman warrior holding a sword in his right hand and a circular shield with his left whilst being crowned by a small winged figure of Victory. The word 'CRIMEA' is written vertically on the left. The medal is fitted with a foliated swivel suspender and four acorn leaf bars. A piece of 27 mm light blue ribbon with yellow edges is attached to the suspender.

Awarded to 2829 Sergeant James John Heath who served in the 55th Regiment of Foot during the Crimean war. Heath was born in Staffordshire in 1819 and he worked as a labourer until his enlistment in the British Army 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.