Lot 77
Killed in the Charge of The Light Brigade ‡
Clandestine Operations - Inc The D.J. Croll Medal Collection & Other Properties | M26002
Auction: 16 September 2026 at 10.30 BST
Description
The Crimea Medal awarded to Private Frederick Melrose, 17th Lancers, who was Killed in Action in the Charge of the Light Brigade, Balaklava 25th of October 1854 comprising, Crimea Medal, 1854-55, two clasps, Alam, Balaklava, (Fredr Melrose, 17th Lancers.), very fine (1)
Private Melrose was born in 1827 and enlisted with the 17th Lancers at London on the 27th of July 1848, having a bounty of £6.15.6. He spent time with his Regiment in Dublin from 1848-49, at Woolwich and Canterbury during 1851-52, and at Dorset from 1853 to early 1854. In April 1854 his Regiment embarked for Constantinople and the men landed at Varna on the 8th of June 1854. They subsequently sailed for the Crimes, landing at Balaklava on the 17th of September 1854. Melrose saw action at Alma three days later on the 20th of September and at Sebastopol, before being Killed in action at Balaklava during the Charge of the Light Brigade on the 25th of October 1854.
Melrose was only a young man in his late 20s when he was killed. Some books say he had been a Shakespearean actor before he enlisted. He knew his Shakespeare and is recorded as quoting from Henry V before the Charge, and only a few minutes before his death. The Battle of Balaklava was fought on the anniversary of Agincourt (25th of October 1415). Melrose appreciated this, and his quotation from Act IV, Scene III deplored the fact they were about to fight a Battle heavily outnumbered.
Copies of the Crimea Medal Roll and Indeed Lumis and Wynn indicate that Melrose received three clasps with the medal, Alma, Balaklava and Sebastopol, but only the former two are attached to the medal, The death of Melrose, and the fact that his official papers do not record any next of kin details, may account for the missing clasp. The Medal is exceptional condition in its original box of issue which shows his name and only two clasps and still affixed to its, mint, original ribbon.
Sold with London Gazette Casualty List entries, Copy Medal Rolls, Copy Honour The Light Brigade by Lumis & Wynn, Copy Forgotten Heroes The Charge of the Light Brigade by Roy Dutton and a copy Handwritten Letter by Dennis Croll dated 1978 detailing Melrose and his medal.
