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Lot 269

IMPORTANT CRIMEA GROUP

Estimate: £1,000 - £2,000
Hammer price: £2,200
Bidding ended. Lot has been sold.
IMPORTANT CRIMEA GROUP to Major Benjamin Relf whom His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, referred to as 'one of the finest specimens of a cavalry officer' With Sons IGS. Crimean War group to Corpl B Relf 10th Hussars / later commissioned into the Queens Bays. Major Benjamin Relf was born in Tunbridge Wells on 6th January 1833. Relf served with the 10th Hussars, seeing active service in the Crimea. An article in the Makerfield Examiner announcing his death stated the following; 'With his regiment marched across the great Sahara Desert for the Crimea. He served in this campaign from April 1855, to May 1856, being present at the siege and fall of Sebastopol, the capture of Tchorqum, expedition to Kertch, the destruction of Taman, severe outpost engagement near Kertch 21st September 1856, where he was wounded, his horse being shot out from under him, and was specially mentioned for gallantry, and for promotion for attempting to save the lives of two men belonging to the Turkish contingent' Transferred to the 2nd Dragoons (Queens Bays) and for a period served as Troop Sergt Major before being commissioned into the Regiment. Officer cavalry 28th May 1870, Lieutenant 27th September 1871, Captain June 1877 and finally appointed as Adjutant Officer in the Lancashire Hussars in 1887. He retired upon reaching the age limit but retained his rank. Although risen through the ranks, Relf was an exceptionally well-respected officer among his peers and popular with his men. From the Makerfield Examiner 'His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, the late Commander in Chief; used to refer to him as one of the finest specimens of cavalry officers'. Sold with a wooden case which was presented to him form The Queens Bays on his retirement in 1877. Original commission documents for each appointment, a photograph of the recipient, death certificate, masonic certificates and pipe. Crimea Medal with bar Sebastopol, officially impressed - Corpl B Relf 10th Hussars Long Service Good Conduct Medal officially impressed - 898 Troop Sergt Major Benjn Relf 2nd Dgn Gds Turkish Crimea - unnamed as issued Condition = (Crimea NVF) ( LSGC, Turkish Crimea VF). Indian General Service Medal group to Lieutenant Commander Benjamin George Relf Royal Indian Marine. The son of Major Benjamin Relf. A hand-written account of Relf's service, included with the group states; Served as Sub Lt during Egyptian Campaigns present at operations around Suakin. Burmese war, upper Burma went up with Flotilla present at all river actions until the fall and occupation of Mandalay by the combined Naval & Military Forces. Went from Calcutta with 2nd Expedition of a River Gunboat until end of 1888. Received the thanks of the Government. Served as senior Lt / Lt Commander of the Gunboat "Lawrence" up the Persian Gulf during the disturbance (1895) at Muscat and the sinking of rebel boats off the coast of Bahrain, received thanks from Consul General. Sold with several Masonic documents, Order of the Primrose 1891 in case of issue and conduct reports from each ship he served on. Entitled to another bar on IGS, Egypt medal bar Suakin 1885 and Khedive Star, which are not present. With miniatures IGSM - Correctly engraved 2d Gde Officer B G Relf H M I M S "Sir William Peel' Condition = EF (claw pin is missing but suspender is not loose)
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