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Auction: 4004 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 126

An Unusual Crimea Casualty Crimea 1854-56, three clasps, Alma, Inkermann, Sebastopol (J. Fraser, Rl. Saprs. & Minrs.), officially impressed, nearly extremely fine Estimate £ 750-800 2162 2nd Corporal James Fraser, was killed in action on 7.6.1855 whilst attempting to repair the embrasure in No. 10 Battery, during the assault on the Quarries, 'While thus employed in No. 10 battery situated on a central projection of the second parrallel, second-corporal James Fraser - a fearless young non-commissioned officer - was killed. Fraser was working in an embrasure - a mere crag, so complete was its disruption - patching up the left cheek with sandbags, while corporal McEachern was reconstructing the right one. The firing on the battery was very fierce, but the two corporals, stript to their trousers and shirts, toiled away with dauntless perserverance. "Nevermind the rascals," said Fraser, with an encouraging smile, "we'll finish it in spite of them." Such was his determination; but a few moments after, he was blown from the embrasure by a round shot, which carried away his right arm and the whole of his breast and ribs, exposing his quivering heart. McEachern heard the shot pass and felt the heat which its velocity inparted; and on turning round to see how his comrade had faired, he saw him doubled up on a pile of projectiles and the gunners and workmen gathering up his remains' Extract taken from 'History of the Royal Sappers and Miners.'

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