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Auction: 9022 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 29

x A Scarce Crimea ´Legion of Honour´ Group of Five to Colour Sergeant G. Jarvis, Royal Engineers, Who Distinguished Himself When the French Powder Magazine at the Ravin du Carenage, Before Sebastopol, Blew Up, 15.11.1855 South Africa 1834-53 (G. Jarvis. Rl. Saprs. & Minrs.); Crimea 1854-56, three clasps, Alma, Inkermann, Sebastopol, unnamed as issued; Army Long Service & G.C., V.R. (1873. Cr. Serjt. Geo. Jarvis, Rl. Engrs.), suspension loose; France, Second Empire, Legion of Honour, Chevalier´s breast Badge, silver, gold, and enamel, enamel damage in Ouizille & Lemoine, Paris case of issue; Turkish Crimea, Sardinian die, unnamed as issued, pierced for ring suspension as issued, contact marks overall, very fine (5) Estimate £ 650-750 France, Legion of Honour, Chevalier London Gazette 4.8.1856 Colour Sergeant George Jarvis, No. 1873, ´´for distinguished services before the enemy during the late war.´´ 1873 Colour Sergeant George Jarvis, born St. Sidwells, near Exeter, Devon, 1821; enlisted Royal Sappers and Miners, 1839; he was assigned as Sapper to 10 Company, embarking for the Cape of Good Hope, May 1841; served throughout the 2nd Kaffir War (1846-47); advanced Corporal 1849; he was assigned for work at the Great London Exhibition, 28.3.1851, and it is recorded that he received for his services a bronze medal, a certificate signed by Prince Albert and an engraved silver watch; Sergeant 11 Company, February 1854; served with the regiment during the Crimean War, Jarvis was employed on the left wing before Sebastopol where he supervised working parties of 50 to 60 men in the repair of damage to trenches and batteries, and in the construction of new ones in all kinds of weather; Jarvis is mentioned repeatedly in the Regimental History for this period, receiving praise from his superiors and is particularly commended for his activities in limiting the disaster resulting from the explosion of the French powder magazine on the brow of the Ravin du Carenage 15.11.1855, he successfully fought the fire on the roof of the powder mill and contained the flames before the mill itself exploded, ´´meanwhile the powder mill, on which all eyes were fixed, was scaled by some gallant fellows risking a jeopardy it was exciting to witness. Lieutenant Brine, who was directed to superintend the arrangements for subduing the fire, and to devise means for succouring the magazine, ordered Sergeant Jarvis and Corporal Osment to ascend it. Without hesitation they did so.... Sparks were falling on them like pyrotechnic rain, and shells and rockets were still bursting fragments in that perilous direction´´; Colour Sergeant 1855; the 11th Company served in the final assault on Sebastopol; he returned to England and was pensioned from Chatham, 15.5.1861. Only 9 members of the Corps were decorated with the Legion of Honour during the Crimean War. 4 members of the 11th Company were decorated during the Crimean War: Lieutenant H.C. Elphinstone - V.C.; Colour Sergeant H. McDonald - V.C., D.C.M., Legion of Honour; Colour Sergeant G. Jarvis - Legion of Honour; Sapper A. McCaughey - D.C.M., Al Valore Militare. Provenance: Spink May 1990

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