CRIMEA MEDAL

A MOST INTERESTING AND PROBABLY UNIQUE FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE CONNECTION CRIMEAN MEDAL TO A 49TH FOOT PRIVATE WHO SERVED AN ORDERLY UNDER HER DIRECT CHARGE AT THE BARRACK HOSPITAL, SCUTARI. PREVIOUS TO THIS, HE WAS WOUNDED AT THE BATTLE OF INKERMANN

CRIMEA 1854, 3 CLASPS, ALMA, INKERMANN, SEBASTOPOL ‘*. BRIDGEMAN. 49TH. REGT.’

A most interesting and probably unique Crimean War medal awarded to a Private in the 49th foot who after being wounded at the battle of inkermann became an orderly at the barrack hospital at Scutari, serving under direct charge of Florence Nightingale. This confirmed in a letter written by this most famous of nurses, to the Commanding Officer of the 49th Foot, dated 19 October 1855. A copy of the letter is included with the research, a transcript of letter states:

“Castle Hospital, Balaclava, 19 Oct 1835.

Sir, will you excuse the liberty I take in thus trespassing upon your attention & infirm me whether Henry Bridgeman, No 1895 of the Regiment under your command (who is now a much valued & trusty orderly in the Barrack Hospital at Scutari, employed in the Divisional Linen store under my charge,) can be settled with as to the balance of pay due to him?

I remain Sir your obedient servant Florence Nightingale”

Original Crimea medal rolls confirm one man with surname Bridgeman in the 49th Regiment. Medal noted as ‘Regt 9/9/56’.

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Condition GF only, contact marks and edge bruising overall, however officially impressed naming remains very clear bar initial which is no longer visible. Sold with copy research on CD and paper copy service papers and Nightingale letter.

Despite its poor condition, probably a unique confirmed medal to one of Florence Nightingale’s orderly’s.