PRIVATE J. HILL, 49TH FOOT (1ST BATTALION BERKSHIRE REGIMENT). Crimea Medal 1854-56, 3 clasps

PRIVATE J. HILL, 49TH FOOT (1ST BATTALION BERKSHIRE REGIMENT). Crimea Medal 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Inkermann, Sebastopol (officially named, impressed in plain serifed capitals: J. HILL. 49TH. REGT.). Scattered rim bruises, edge nicks and contact marks to rim (from contact with other medals), otherwise Good Very Fine and with attractive old toning..

Medal accompanied by 4 pages of copied discharge papers, 1841 census extract and copy extract from Crimea Medal roll, confirming Alma and Inkermann clasps (having qualified for these two clasps, Hill also qualified for the Sebastopol clasp).

John Hill was born in the parish of Cound, Shrewsbury, Shropshire circa 1823. He is recorded in the 1841 census as a 17 year old “M.S.” (male servant) employed by Edward Downes, a farmer, in the parish of Tugford, Munslow, Shropshire and resident on the farm with Downes, his wife Mary, two female servants and three other male servants. Hill enlisted into the 49th Foot at Wolverhampton on 9/7/1841 as 1749 Private. At the time of enlistment he was 18 years of age and gave his trade as that of miner. Hill never rose above the rank of Private and was discharged at Belfast on 22/7/1962, after 21 years and 23 days service with the colours. At the time of discharge Hill’s conduct was described as having been “very good”, and he gave his intended place of residence as Shrewsbury.

As a miner, prior to enlisting, Hill was engaged in an industry that, although it died out in the mid-20th century, had been an important activity in Shropshire since the Bronze Age, home at various times to mines producing large quantities of lead, copper, zinc and iron.

Service papers confirm entitlement to Crimea Medal with 3 clasps and in addition to the Turkish Crimea Medal and Long Service and Good Conduct Medal with a gratuity of £5. In addition to service at home, Hill also saw service in India for six months and the Crimea for one year and two months.

There was another J. Hill who saw service with the 49th Foot in the Crimea, 3262 Corporal John Hill, who was entitled to the Crimea Medal with Sebastopol clasp only. However, the fact that there is no rank on this medal confirms that this is the medal awarded to 1749 Private John Hill.