dante

Named Crimea medal, Jean-Marie ROBERT, 2e régiment de grenadiers de la Garde impériale, born 21 April 1829 at Combourg (Brittany). His trade listed as "servant”; he was drafted to the 30e de Ligne on 26 December 1850. Served in 1851 in Paris during the troubled times when Napoleon III seized power. Joined a Grenadier Company on 13 December 1852. Sailed to the Crimea on 14 July 1855 with his Regiment - he joined the 2e Grenadiers de la Garde in the Crimea, on 20th October 1855. The 2e régiment de grenadiers de la Garde impériale was created in 1854. One of its battalion was sent to Crimea and landed there on 28/1/1855, the entire regiment joined it in May 1855. They distinguished themselves during the capture of Malakoff where they took part in the second employed in the second assault, they lost 500 killed in the attack. Back to France in December 1855 with the Imperial Guard, he was soon released from Service with a "Certificat de Bonne Conduite". No other details are known

French Medaille Militaire, Named Crimea medal and 1859 Italian campaign to "Jean Danard, 1er régiment de voltigeurs de la Garde impériale, born on the 31st of January 1821 in Saint Just (Ille-et-Villaine). Matricule Number – 811. Caporal /Sergent, ((posted from Caporal in 2e Compagnie, 2e Bataillon, to Sergent in 3e Compagnie, 3e Bataillon, 4th July 1859). He was promoted to Sergent after Solferino - which means he starts to appear in the "Feuilles de Journées" from Q3 1859. (The "Feuilles de Journées" are equivalent to the british "Day Books"). Retired in 1869 after serving 25 years and 10 campaigns (35 years for pension). Awarded Médaille Militaire, décret : 22/11/1862"

Crimea medal clasp Sebastopol, Turkish war medal (named to Sergeant W Coleman, Land Transport Corps (LTC) and unnamed Italian independence medal William Coleman was born in Southwark in approximately 1835 and enlisted into the army 14th October 1854 He was noted as 5ft 6ins tall Joined the 13th Light Dragoons in the Crimea on the 1st August 1855 (The regiment had taken part in the charge of light brigade on the 25 October 1854). Sent to Scutari on the 10th October 1855 and noted as being in hospital from the 24th of October. Transferred to the 12th Battalion, Land Transport Corps (Military Train) on the 31st October 1855. He deserted from the LTC on his return to the Curragh in January 1857. We next find him as a volunteer with Garibaldi’s British Legion. The Roll of Volunteers has him living at 9 Peters Lane, John St, Smithfield, London. Height 5ft 6ins, with previous service in the Land Transport Corps. The British Legion (Italian: Legione Britannica) was a military corps composed of English and Scottish volunteers, who in 1860 joined Giuseppe Garibaldi during the Expedition of the thousand and fought for the unification of Italy, together with the Italian Redshirts, as part of their Southern Army against the Bourbon Army of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Officially they were "Garibaldi Excursionists" to avoid any problems of diplomatic appearance. The Legion landed in Naples on 15 October 1860 and took part in a fight, under the command of John Whitehead Peard in Sant'Angelo up to the wall of Capua, where two volunteers were killed and eight wounded. On the 29th October while the Legion was moving from the Volturno to Teano (approximately 20miles), they had received no food or water rations and approval from Colonel Peard to seek what they can on the march. According to contemporary newspaper accounts, five privates of the Legion including William went out to a deserted house and took chickens and a pig, this was reported to Garibaldi who ordered the five to be shot. On appeal the five were given two-year prison sentence at the he Vicaria Prison of Naples, the largest of the Kingdom, which was housed in the cellars of Castel Capuano. They were held for a month at Vicaria living on a diet of horse beans boiled in salt and then moved to the hospital of San Francisco, they were held for three months until an appeal was undertaken by the Officers and NCOs of the Legion to King Victor Emmanuel. They were released in January 1861 but refused pay and bonus and sent home penniless. Sadly this is where we lose William….there are a number of William Coleman noted in or around London during this period, a Cabinet maker, Coachman and maker of medical instruments... nor can we confirm the1865 Italian independence medal, but we do know that for all his trials and tribulations...his medals survived.

Looks to be Richard Higgs, 8th Company 1st Battalion Royal Artillery

Thanks Andreas, but I think he would have had the surname Macintyre added to the medal

Crimea clasp Sebastopol, Engraved to “Major J.E. McKenzie” no unit, no one of that name and initials is in the Army list or Ancestry CRIMEA medal roll…have searched all online resources….welcome any assistance finding Major McKenzie ( while appreciating that he may not be entitled (Turkish contingent) he must have at least existed? thanks for looking, Paul

Would be grateful for help identifying this headdress, unit, period etc, many thanks, Paul

Just got one myself, came with some research, the number is the matricule

Many thanks Andy, the medal was originally purchased in Dorset about 20years ago, sadly missing the Victory medal, would it be possible to post some of the photos you have? Also he was previously with a French ambulance unit, would you have any details?

Excellent research from everyone ?

It appears that as a foreigner, he could only be volunteered (EV) for the Foreign Legion. But as he applied for French nationality, they did not even wait for him to be naturalized before assigning him to a regiment of Zouaves. He was therefore never incorporated into the Foreign Legion.

Found in a US thrift store….original buttons, Vichy croix de combat, Moroccan & Tunisian ribbons, rank…(loose) patte de col…. no history or name..

Yes cork

Great collection

Can any kind soul confirm if this guy served in the legion during WW1, thanks, Paul

French private purchase lightweight Adrian helmet, named to Captain Guillaume Latuille, who born in Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a fishing port on the Basque coast 22 May 1891 Enlist in the ranks and promoted for gallantry during 1914-18 Croix De Guerre, First citation, on the 4th of February 1915. “Demonstrated bravery and cold-blooded attitude during night combat, protecting the unit from heavy fire.” - Second citation, 15 March 1917: “Remarkable officer in every aspect. As a model leader of his section, demonstrated calm bravery and absolute contempt for danger by ensuring a successful link-up with a neighboring unit despite heavy artillery bombardment. Maintained his troops in order while under violent fire and organized all the aspects of an essential position.” - Third citation, 26 May 1918: "Directed an ambush in a forest within enemy lines, and demonstrated brilliant qualities; daring, and effective decision making which assured the success of the operation.” - Fourth citation, 1 September 1918: “Elite officer known by everyone for his courage and enthusiasm. He assured the link-up between his regiment and a neighboring corps. Worked tirelessly to carry out this difficult task. 12 August 1918 vigorously led his section to assault the ruins of an enemy-held “castle” despite heavy machine-gun fire. Wounded in action." Transferred to the 3eme Bataillon d' Infanterie légère d' Afrique 1919 in Morocco Awarded Citation Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures for the Battle of L’ajgou, Brilliant officer, having a high conception of duty. On September 4, 1921, during the combat, as the head of the machine-gun section, he took the most judicious measures and made the enemy turn tail… With grenades, he personally destroyed an enemy nest embanked behind a rock" He left the army (Discharged from the 24eme Regiment ) in 1933 and sadly died in 1936.

Looks like he had trichomoniasis (STD) and dysentery

1920/30 Kepi

Fantastic collection and thread

Glenn, outstanding forensic research...really appreciate you doing this

Welcome to GMIC, happy to help with your research, please feel free to PM me...

SR, completely agree and very forensic in your approach....lets hope someone has the book .....thanks again

Thanks for your responses, I would say war time