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Auction: 14003 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 56

A Crimean D.C.M. Group of Four to Private T. Code, 17th Foot, For Gallantry at the Great Redan, 18.6.1855, in Bringing in the Body of Captain J.L. Croker
a) Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (Thos. Code. 17th Regt.)
b) Crimea 1854-56, one clasp Sebastopol, unnamed as issued
c) Army Long Service & G.C., V.R. (2479 Thos. Code 1st. Battn. 17th. Foot)
d) Turkish Crimea, British die, unnamed, pierced as issued with ring suspension, the DCM worn, therefore good fine, the others better, the LS&GC very fine (4)

D.C.M. Recommended 22.6.1855

2479 Private Thomas Code, D.C.M., born Co. Wicklow, Ireland; enlisted in the 17th Foot, May 1847; served with the 17th Foot in the Crimea and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions 'By going out over the parapet after the repulse and bringing in, with others, the body of Captain Croker' at the Great Redan, 18.6.1855; discharged, June 1868, after 21 years and 52 days with the Colours.

Captain John Croker, of the famous Regimental family, was serving with the Grenadier Company of the 17th Foot when he was killed in action during the first attack on the Redan, 18.6.1855. He was the Regiment's only Officer killed during the attack.

In additiona to Code's gallantry, Corporal Philip Smith, 17th Foot, was awarded the Victoria Cross on the same day 'for repeatedly going out in front of the advanced trenches against the Great Redan, on the 18th June 1855, under a very heavy fire, after the column had retired from the assault and bringing in wounded comrades' (London Gazette 24.2.1857). One other man from the Regiment, Private Joseph Bourke, was also awarded a D.C.M. Recommended on the same date as Code's.


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Sold for
£2,500