PRIVATE G. PLAYNE, SCOTS GUARDS. KILLED IN ACTION, BATTLE OF THE ALMA RIVER. Crimea Medal 1854-56, 1 clasp, Alma

PRIVATE G. PLAYNE, SCOTS GUARDS. Crimea Medal 1854-56, 1 clasp, Alma (officially impressed in serifed capitals: GEO. PLAYNE. SCOTS FUSR. GDS.). Attractively toned, Almost Extremely Fine.

Private George Playne, Scots Fusilier Guards, was killed in action at the Battle of the Alma River, 20/9/1854.

With photocopied extract from medal roll, confirming medal and clasp, and that recipient was “killed at Alma”.

Medal also accompanied by photocopied extract from 1841 census. There are three men by the name of George Playne recorded in the 1841 census. The first, a 60 year old brewer resident at Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, the second, the 15 year old son of a merchant also resident at Minchinhampton, and the third, the 8 year old son of a 45 year old agricultural labourer, resident at South Hamlet, Gloucestershire. Of the two younger George Playnes, only the former, the 15 year old merchants son appears in the 1851 census, where he is recorded as being a 27 year old woolen cloth manufacturer. It is highly unlikely that he would have been recruited into the Scots Guards. The 8 year old son of the agricultural labourer listed in the 1841 census, however, is not recorded in the 1851 census. He is thus probably the recipient of thiis medal, and not recorded in the 1851 census because he had by then enlisted into the army.

The published casualty roll miss-spells the recipient’s surname as “Payne”. The medal roll, however, gives correct spelling as “Playne”.

The published casualty list records 28 nco’s and privates of the 1st Battalion Scots Fusilier Guards as having been killed in action at the battle of the Alma River, along with one Corporal died of wounds and numerous officers and men wounded in action.