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Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 772

'He has been left to die in almost abject poverty - and that is how England treats its heroes!'

Wickham's death reported in the Clapham Observer, 18 June 1892.

A superb and well-documented Light Brigade Charger's Crimea Medal to Sergeant H. G. Wickham, 13th Light Dragoons; despite receiving a lance-wound, Wickham bravely helped a wounded comrade to safety, an act immortalised in Lady Butler's painting 'The Return'

Crimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (H. G. Wickham. 13th Lt. Dragoons.), officially impressed naming; Turkish Crimea, Sardinian issue, Turkish manufacture, the rim impressed in serif capitals 'Corporal. H. G. Wickham 13th Light Dragoons', fitted with claw and swivel-loop suspension, the Sebastopol clasp lacking right hand side lug, light contact marks and somewhat polished, otherwise nearly very fine (2)



Provenance:

Ex- Ron Penhall Collection.
Ex-John Tamplin Collection.

Henry George Wickham was baptised at Bromley Parish Church on 30 November 1834, the eldest son of Michael Wickham, a labourer, and his wife Sarah. His father Michael became a Constable in the Metropolitan Police on 23 March 1840, and brought the family to Clapham in 1841. Young Henry was employed as an assistant engineer in the London and South Western Railway Company's sheds at Hampton Court, before enlisting as a Trooper in the 13th Light Dragoons at Hounslow on 29 October 1852, aged 18. Standing at 5' 8'' tall, he received a Bounty of £5/15/6 and was assigned the regimental number 1499. In February 1854, the regiment embarked at Chatham for the Crimean theatre. Wickham was present at the battles of Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann and Sebastopol, and is confirmed in all the rolls as having ridden in The Charge of the Light Brigade. He received a severe lance wound during the Charge, but managed to help a wounded comrade in the 17th Lancers back to the British lines. This incident is depicted in Lady Butler's famous painting 'The Return', Dek Military Models producing a vignette of lead soldiers based on Lady Butler's composition.

By June 1856 he was on garrison duties in Ireland, and between 21 August and 30 October 1857 he was attached to the 4th Military Train. Continuing to serve with the 13th Light Dragoons, he advanced to Corporal on 27 November 1857, and Sergeant on 17 May 1864. He was discharged as 'time expired' at Hounslow on 31 October that year, having served for 12 years. His conduct was described as 'good', and he was in possession of two Good Conduct Badges, though he received no pension, having to eke out an existence as best he could. His lance-wound resurfaced over time, leaving him incapacitated and unable to work. He petitioned the Royal Patriotic Fund and was allotted £60, in three instalments, but this still left him in dire poverty. Always at his happiest among old comrades, he was a founding member of the Balaklava Commemoration Society when it formed in 1879, sitting on its committee. He attended the Society's Annual Dinner in 1890, and the Balaklava Fete at Olympia on 2 July that year. Though frequent and urgent appeals were made for further pension payments, they were never received. Destitute and in unbearable physical pain, he died at 79 Heath Road, Clapham on 15 June 1892, leaving a widow and daughter. His daughter sold his medals to a dealer in January 1952, and they entered the Tamplin Collection in August 1977. Sold with a large folder of provenance and research and several photographs of Wickham, including an original image on glass, which shows him wearing the undress uniform of the 13th Light Dragoons.




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Sold for
£12,000

Starting price
£4750