Sardinian War Medal of Valour, ‘Al Valore Militaire ‘Spedizione D’Orient 1855-56’ Bt. Major, Rl Arty. Very severely wounded at Sebastopol

Sardinian Medal of Valour, ‘Al Valore Militaire ‘Spedizione D’Orient 1855-56’ with F.G. mintmarks

Bt. Major, J. Sinclair, Rl Arty.

Al Valore no 354 awarded ‘Brevet Major James Sinclair, Eastern Campaign of 1854-55, Inkermann and the Seige of Sebastopol, very severely wounded during the seige.’

Also Awarded Turkey, Ottoman Empire, Order of the Medjidie 5th Class: London Gazette: 2 March, 1858 ‘distinguished services before the enemy during the late war’

Lieutenant-Colonel James Sinclair joined the Royal Artillery as Gentleman Cadet on 23 May 1843,  rank of 2nd Captain on 1 April 1853. He served in the Crimean War with No. 7 Company, 11th Battalion Royal Artillery, and took part in the Battle of Inkermann, and during the Siege of Sebastopol – where he was severely wounded in action on 10 April 1855. This was confirmed in Lord Raglan’s despatch of 14 April 1855, written at Sebastopol, where he wrote:
‘The Royal Artillery has also to lament the death of Lieutenant Luce, who was an officer of much promise; and Lieutenants Sinclair and L’Estrange are among the wounded. The former has sustained several injuries but I am happy to add that there is every hope of his recovery. They are both highly meritorious officers.’
He was given a promotion to Brevet Major on 2 November 1855,  and promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel on 6 January 1867.