Crimean War hero’s medals come home

MEDALS awarded for heroism during the Charge of the Light Brigade returned home from America yesterday when they were donated to a Yorkshire museum by the great-grandson of the soldier who won them.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Sep 2011, 07:00 BST

Tony Kent travelled from his home in Fredericksburg, Virginia, to hand over the heirlooms to regimental museum of 13th/18th Royal Hussars and the Light Dragoons at Cannon Hall Museum, Barnsley.

The collection of Crimean War medals was awarded to Capt Percy Shawe-Smith, a lieutenant and acting adjutant in the 13th Light Dragoons.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

They include the Crimean Medal with clasps for Alma, Inkerman, Balaklava and Sebastopol; the Turkish Medal, the Sardinian Medal, with a citation for distinguished conduct during the charge, and the Order of the Medjidie (5th Class).

During the infamous charge, Capt Shawe-Smith led a troop of dragoons and his job was to keep the line moving forward despite the terrible losses.

He was one of just 20 from his regiment to report for inspection after emerging from the Valley of Death, but on his return to England survived until he was 88.

Mr Kent, a former RAF reconnaissance pilot who moved to the USA in 1946 and changed his name to work as a TV journalist, said: “I feel very proud to have handed them over and I know my great grandfather would be very happy to have everything back home. This is where they belong.”

Related topics:Yorkshire