Turkish Crimea Medal
The Kirim Harbi Madalyası is one of Sultan Abdülmecid I donated military decoration of the Ottoman Empire. It was at soldiers of allied countries for participation in the Crimean War 1854 - 1856 conferred on the Ottoman side. The medal was issued in versions for British, French and Sardinian soldiers.
Appearance and material
The coin has a diameter of 37 mm and is made of silver. It shows on the front of the Tughra of the Ottoman sultans and the year 1271 according to the Islamic calendar. The reverse shows a cannon with four flags that symbolize the four allied states. The left flag shows in the foreground to the country from which the soldier comes, the award was given. On the reverse is the inscription ' La Crimee 1855 ' for French, ' La Crimea 1855 ' for the Sardinian and ' Crimea 1855 ' for the British edition. The band carries on a steel ring a smaller ring of silver, on which the actual medal is fixed, the suspension was, however, subsequently modified by many owners to reflect UK practice.
Although the side with the Tughra was the actual front, the medal was also often worn with the lapels forward.
The band originally a width of half an inch (32 millimeters), British soldier has been awarded the distinction, however, with a 1.25 inch wide band. The band itself is dark purple with green edges.
The medal was awarded without a name engraving, but numerous specimens with subsequent engraving are known.
Since many medals were lost through war-related events and their intended recipient not reached, other than the expenditure initially planned were often handed out. Many British soldiers received the Medal example, in the Sardinian version. The build quality was not outstanding, so many British officers could make copies of silver. These copies are significantly heavier and also engraved fine.
Carrier
The medal was practically given to all soldiers who participated on the British, French or Sardinian side in the fighting in the Crimea. Bearers of the Crimean medal are:
- Evelyn Henry Wood
- Henry Augustus Smyth