1854-56 Crimean "Victoria Cross" Medal Group

The scarce and most interesting Crimean War 'Double Action' Victoria Cross group of four awarded to Major J.S. Knox.

Major Knox was recommended for the V.C. firstly for gallantry as a Sergeant in the Scots Fusilier Guards at the Battle of the Alma, 20 September 1854 - the army's first V.C. Action - rewarded with a commission for his conduct at the Battle of Inkermann, 5 November 1854, where he took part in the storming and capture of the Sandbag Battery, and single-handedly faced a party of enemy skirmishers.

He was recommended again for his bravery when, as a Lieutenant in the Rifle Brigade, he volunteered as part of the ladder-party for the first assault on the heavily defended Grand Redan, 18 June 1855, where his left arm was blown away by cannon fire.

Medal 1
Victoria Cross, reverse of suspension bar engraved 'Lieutenant. John. Knox. 2nd. Bat, Rifle Brigade', reverse of Cross engraved '20 Sept 1854 18 June 1855', with contemporary bronze top riband suspension buckle

Medal 2
Crimea 1854-56, four clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Colr. Sert. John S. Knox. Scots Fusr. Gds.), contemporarily engraved in large serif capitals

Medal 3
France, Second Empire, Legion of Honour, Chevalier's breast Badge, 63mm including crown suspension x 40mm, silver, gold, and enamel, some significant enamel damage, with contemporary gilt top riband suspension buckle

Medal 4
Turkish Crimea, British die, with contemporary silver loop and ring suspension, unnamed as issued, with original narrow riband and contemporary silver top riband suspension buckle, minor contact marks, generally nearly very fine or better, the V.C. good very fine, together with the following related items:
- A Russian Cannon-Ball, reputedly the one that smashed the recipient's left arm at the assault on the Redan, 53mm in diameter, mounted on a marble plinth, the plinth engraved 'Crimea, Sebastopol, Redan, June 18 1855'
- Two glazed and framed photograph portraits, one of the recipient in uniform, wearing his miniature medals, and one of the recipient's wife
- The recipient's Rifle Brigade cap badge
- The recipient's Rifle Brigade Officer's large cross belt plate with Battle Honours up to Waterloo, together with the whistle holder and chain, silver (Hallmarks for London 1855)
- The recipient's father's silver-topped cane, the top engraved 'John Knox. Born 17th. Nov: 1772. Died 8th. Feb: 1842. Glasgow.'

From V.C. London Gazette 24 February 1857:

Lieutenant John Knox, 2nd Bat. Rifle Brigade
'When serving as a Serjeant in the Scots Fusilier Guards, Lieutenant Knox was conspicuous for his exertions in reforming the ranks of the Guards at the Battle of the Alma.

Subsequently, when in the Rifle Brigade, he volunteered for the ladder-party in the attack on the Redan, on the 18th of June, and (in the words of Captain Blackett, under whose command he was) behaved admirably, remaining on the field until twice wounded.'

This is one of the first Victoria Crosses awarded to a British soldier and this trophy asset can be yours