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Auction: 26002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 103

The rare campaign group of three awarded to Major R. Dillon, 30th (Cambridgeshire) Regiment of Foot, who was decorated for his gallantry in the Crimea and was later stationed on the Canadian Border during the Trent Affair, which saw a tense stand-off between the British and Union forces

Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Capt. R. Dillon, 30th Foot), officially impressed, clasp loose upon riband; Sardinia, Al Valore Militare, silver (Major Robert Dillon 30th Regt); Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue (Major R. Dillon. 30th Regt), engraved naming, with replacement silver loop suspension, each with silver bar for wear, sold together with a miniature Al Valore engraved with the recipient's initials, very fine and rare to the unit (4)

Note 6 Al Valore Militare Medals to unit for the Crimean War.

Sardinian Al Valore Militare:

'Major Robert Dillon. Rendered good and gallant service in the trenches before Sebastopol, and on Inkermann heights during the winter of 1854-55.'

Robert Dillon was born at Corfu, Greece on 9 October 1819 and was commissioned Ensign into the 94th Foot on 8 June 1838. Whilst serving in the East Indies, he advanced Lieutenant (by Purchase) on 29 November 1839 and later transferred to the 97th Foot on 31 December 1841. Continuing his service in the East Indies he was then posted to Malta from December 1845. Dillon purchased a Captaincy in that Regiment on 30 November 1849 and served in North America and Jamaica before exchanging to the 30th Foot. After a short period of service in North America, he embarked for home service.

Serving in the Crimea from 2 December 1854, Dillon was in command of the 1st Company; immediately joining his Regiment in the trenches at Inkermann Heights, a position the 30th would serve in throughout the dreadful winter of 1854-55. In April 1855, the 30th was moved to a new position at Cathcart Hill, they would remained there until the end of the War. On 29 June 1855, Dillon returned to England but was back in the Crimea on 10 September 1855. He was promoted to Major (without Purchase) on 13 February 1856, remaining in the Crimea until 3 June 1856.

After service in Gibraltar and England, in June 1861 he embarked for Canada, arriving in Toronto on 12 July. During its time in Canada, the Regiment defended the border with the United States during the 1861 Trent Affair, an incident during the American Civil War which threatened War between the United States and Britain. Dillon served in Canada for several years and retired on Half-Pay on 26 June 1865.

A newspaper article written upon his death at Folkstone provides an obituary which states:

'A. CRIMEAN VETERAN.

We regret to record the death of Lieut.-Colonel Robert Dillon, which occurred at his residence, 15, Westbourne-gardens, Folkestone on Friday, 21st inst. The deceased officer, who was in his 96th year, passed away after a short illness. He had, in spite of his advanced age, been in good health for some time. He was wonderfully active for his age, being often out of doors. He was very well known amongst the residents of West Folkestone, and was for thirty-five years a prominent member of the Radnor Club. He was also a member of the Constitutional Club in London.

Colonel Dillon had had a remarkable career. At the age of 18 he entered the Army as an ensign. Subsequently he was transferred to the late 30th Foot, and remained in that regiment till he was 14 years of age, when he sold his commission. He was Captain in his regiment during the Crimean War, in which he took a very active part. He was present at the siege of the great Russian fortress, Sebastopol, and entered the town on September 9th, 1854, after the Russians had evacuated it. He held the Crimean medal with Sebastopol clasp, and the Turkish and Sardinian medals. Later he proceeded with his regiment to Canada. In 1862 he married the second daughter of the late Hon. Samuel Mills, senator of the Dominion of Canada. Mrs. Dillon survives him. By his marriage he had seven children, six daughters and one son, Mr. R. A. Dillon.'

Sold together with copied research.



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Estimate
£1,000 to £1,400

Starting price
£800