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Debacle in the Crimea
Britain and France entered the Crimean War in 1854 in order to
prevent the mighty Russian Empire from crushing Turkey, and thus altering the balance of power in the East. The Anglo-French
plan involved the capture of the Russian Black Sea port of Sebastopol. The war is famed for the epic degree of incompetence
shown by the British military authorities, which was only surpassed by the tenacity of the ordinary British soldier. Poorly
equipped, and in clothing unsuited for the climate, the 17th Regiment was in the thick of the fighting, in the Battle of the
Quarries, the attack on the Great Redan, and the final assault on Sebastopol.
Corporal Philip Smith of the 17th Regiment wins the Victoria
Cross for heroism at Sebastopol
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Thomas Faughnan served with the 17th Regiment in the Crimea, and left a harrowing account of the assault on the Redan at Sebastopol on 17
June 1855: "The Russians, having the exact range, threw the shells right among our men ... A shell struck Sergeant Connell
of the Grenadier company, tearing him to shreds, and throwing one of his legs fifty yards off; which was found afterwards
and known by the regimental number on his sock. That leg was all of him that could ever be seen afterwards."
Above: A pewter button, found recently on the site of the 17th
Regiment's camp at Sebastopol. Below: A brass cap numeral, found at the same location
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Left: Crimea medal with bar 'Sebastopol' awarded to '3496 G.Hayter
17th Regt'. Crimea medals to the 17th are almost invariably found officially impressed. Occasionally, as in this case, the
service number has been depot impressed later
Below: Captain David La T. Colthurst served in the Crimea with
the 17th Regiment. He was later MP for Cork.
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| Copyright: House of Lords Record Office |
In the attack the 17th Regiment, upon emerging from the network of trenches
in front of the Redan were met with a hurricane of fire. In the confined space they could achieve little by way of formation
and their progress was impeded by the dead and wounded of previous attempts. One officer, Captain J.L.Croker, was killed
along with thirteen other ranks. 32 other ranks were wounded. Great bravery was shown by a number of men who went back to
bring in the body of Captain Croker, and by Corporal Philip Smith who several times brought in wounded men under fire. He
was awarded the Victoria Cross.
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