Crimea, 2 clasps, Inkermann, Sebastopol, Lieutenant (HMS London) officially impressed, killed in action aged 20, Sebastopol 21/1/1855 when hit by a round shot. Previously wounded in November 1854. Grandson of 1st. Viscount Templeton and awarded his Lieutenancy for ” brave and arduous services in the trenches before Sebastopol.” (Raglan despatch). A copy of a part archive of letters from the recipient from the Crimea and others immediately following his death (the original held by the National Army Museum) accompanies

Crimea, 2 clasps, Inkermann, Sebastopol,

J.H.U. Spalding. Actg. Mate

Lieutenant (HMS London) officially impressed, killed in action, Sebastopol 21/1/1855 when hit by a round shot. Previously wounded in November 1854

John Henry Upton Spalding, b. 1834, Berkeley Square, London, G.son of John Upton, 1st Viscount Templeton. Educated Eton,  Naval Cadet 1847, Midshipman 1849, Midshipman H.M.S. London 1853. Served with the first contingent of the Naval Brigade ashore as Act. Mate. Wounded on 3 November, 1854, present at Inkermann on 5th November and later in No. 2 Sailors Battery (on Greenhill) in the Left attack and in the Picket Battery. Whilst doing duty with the Naval Guns in the Picket House Battery on 21st January, 1855, Spalding was hit on the back of the head by the full force of a Russian round shot.

Promoted Lieutenant in consequence of his services before Sebastopol and gaztted on the 30th January, some  nine days  after his death

‘In the last published despatch from Lord Raglan dated the 23rd January, he says :- “Nothing of importance has occurred in our front: but the enemy has occasionally opened a fire upon our left attack, and Mr Spalding, a fine young man was unfortunately killed by a round shot the day before yesterday. His loss is deeply deplored.” Mr Spalding here so honourably mentioned, whose gallant career has thus been brought to a premature close, was the eldest son of J.E. Spalding, Esq. of Holme, Stewartry of Kirkudbright, and had just previous to his death received his Lieutenancy. for his brave and arduous services in the trenches before Sebastopol. This  bereavement is rendered the more distressing by the fact that the young officer was within a few weeks of attaining his majority, an event which had been looked forward to as an occasion of rejoicing in the Glenkens, where his family estates are situated.’

A drawing of Spalding sitting against the wheel of a cannon appeared in the Illustrated London News December 1854 and another pencil drawing of his grave in a book of drawing of the campaign by William Simpson.

Letters home  from Lieut. Spalding together with letters, including Admiral Lyons, to his family from the Crimea concerning his death are held as part of the Brougham Collection in the National Army Museum and copies are included as are copies of the drawings.

Most probably one of three officially impressed killed in action officers.

Eight were killed plus two in the Naval Bombardment. Spalding and Lieut Twyford and Ruthven of the London   all presumably officially impressed. Three to the Albion were understood engraved by Hunt & Roskill.  Greathed of Brittania  is known as an engraved H&R style.

Lovely condition and a superb medal