THE FINE CRIMEAN WAR FINAL ATTACK ON THE REDAN WAR D.C.M. AND FRENCH MEDAILLE MILITAIRE AWARDED TO A SERGEANT OF THE 34TH FOOT FOR HIS GALLANTRY IN CARRYING IN A WOUNDED SERGEANT UNDER HEAVY FIRE. THIS NCO WOULD SERVE NO LESS THAN 46 YEARS, RETIRING AS AN ACTING SERGEANT MAJOR ON THE PERMANENT STAFF OF THE 6TH VOLUNTEER BATTALION, KING’S LIVERPOOL REGIMENT IN 1891. A RARE DOUBLE GALLANTRY AWARD FOR THE CRIMEAN WAR

CRIMEAN DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL ‘SERJT W. CARNEY 34 REGT’, CRIMEA 1854-5, CLASP SEBASTOPOL CLASP, ‘SERJT W. CARNEY 34 REGT’ OFFICIALLY IMPRESSED, ARMY LONG SERVICE GOOD CONDUCT V.R. SMALL LETTER RESERVE ‘2572 CR SERGT. W.R. KERNEY 34TH REGT 1866’, FRENCH MEDAILLE MILITAIRE, TURKISH CRIMEA , UNNAMED AS ISSUED

The or 'Sergeant William Carney and Private Thomas Loft carrying Sergeant Harrison, 34th. in when wounded, on 8th September 1855, under heavy fire', this date was the start of the final attack on Sebastopol.

One 16 men of the 34th to be awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal during the Crimean War and 8 the French Medaille Militaire.

William Richard Kearney was born in St Lukes, Dublin and aged 17, enlisted into the 34th Foot under the alias of William Carney, on 29 December 1845. Given Regimental number 2572, he initially served as an under age private and was promoted Corporal on 29 December 1854, 20 days after the regiment landed in the Crimea.

Serving throughout the siege of Sebastopol, the 34th took part in numerous small actions and enemy attacks, Carney being promoted Sergeant on 1 April 1855. On 7 June 1855, the regiment took part in the assault on the Quarries, sustaining 51 casualties and on 18 June, the first attack on the Redan, sustaining an horrendous number of casualties; approximately 250. On 8 September, what was left of the regiment took part in the final attack on the Redan, loosing a further 63 Officer and men. It was for his actions during this attack; in bringing in the wounded Sergeant Harrison under heavy fire, that Sergeant Carney would be awarded the French Medaille Militaire. Carney was also awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, without doubt for the same act of gallantry, the recommendation coming from his commanding officer.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Great_Redan

November 1857 (Mutiny Medal and clasp). Granted the Good Conduct Medal on 29 December 1865 and by now using his correct surname (Kearney), he was discharged at his own request on 20 January 1868. However he joined the 1st Royal Lanark Militia 5 days later, serving as a Sergeant Instructor until 14 August 1871. On 2 September 1871 he joined the Permanent Staff of the 6th Volunteer Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment as 1st Class Sergeant Instructor and Acting Sergeant Major, finally being discharged on 3 September 1891, in consequence of the termination of his engagement. He was 62 years of age on discharge. Unsurprisingly, on discharge, his conduct was given as ‘Very Good and most satisfactory in every respect’.

Condition NVF, contact wear and polished, particularly to first two which also have refixed claws; unsurprisingly given he had a further 36 years service after they were awarded! Naming good on all. Sold with digital research including service papers.

A really fine group of medals to a brave and exceptionally long serving NCO who was twice Decorated for gallantry during the Crimean War.