NAM.1992-09-185-1

Crimea Medal 1854-56, 3 clasps: Alma, Inkermann, Sebastopol. Awarded to Col Thomas Graham Egerton, 77th (East Middlesex Regiment) of Foot. Associated with the Crimean War (1854-1856). Thomas Graham Egerton was first commissioned into the 77th (The West Middlesex) Regiment of Foot in December 1829, taking over its command with the purchase of his lieutenant-colonelcy on 27 Dec 1850. He greatly distinguished himself at the Battle of Inkerman on 5 Nov 1854 by leading four companies of his Regiment - just 259 men - in a successful attack against a Russian regiment 1500-strong. An unmistakable figure, six feet eight inches tall, Egerton was promoted colonel on 28 Nov 1854. He was killed on 19 Apr 1855 at the moment of victory during the attack led by him against the Russian rifle pits, the regimental history telling how, ‘as Colonel Egerton was pointing out the flying Russians to Captain Chawner, he was struck in the mouth by a rifle bullet, which, carrying away four of his front teeth, passed through the spine at the back of his neck, and he fell dead.’

Alma, Battle of the, 1854 (Crimean War 1854-1856), Inkerman, Battle of, 1854 (Crimean War 1854-1856), Sevastopol, Siege of, 1854-55 (Crimean War 1854-1856)