Victorian trio. Cook. 13th Regiment of Foot. Somerset Light Infantry Cook. Debenham, Suffolk.

Medal group consisting of Crimea Medal with Sebastopol clasp, no clasp India Mutiny Medal and Turkish Crimea, Sardinian issue.

Crimea Medal correctly named Pte WM Cook 1/13th Lt Inf

India Mutiny Medal correctly named W Cook 1st Bn 13th Lt Inf

Turkish Crimea Medal unnamed as issued

Undertaking our research, we find William Cook to hold the service number 3436.

Born in Debenham, Suffolk on the 21st of March 1834 to George and Eliza.

In 1841, we find the family living in the Civil Parish of Debenham and George is a farmer.

William enlisted on the 9th of January 1855 into the 13th Light Infantry which would later become the 1st Somersetshire (Prince Alberts LI) Regiment of Foot and late to be known as the Somerset Light Infantry. He is noted as being a labourer at the time of enlistment.

He served until 1875 when he was discharged after serving almost 21 years with the colours, over 17 of those overseas.

He was to spend just over 5 years in Gibraltar, just over 2 years in the Cape of Good Hope and just over 6 years in the East Indies.

Also he served in the Crimea and at Sebastopol. His papers survive and confirm the award of his medals including the clasp. He also held 4 Good Conduct badges.

War in the Crimea.

The regiment sailed from Gibraltar on 7 June. The strength was increased to 16 companies but only 8 companies (1,000 men) went to the Crimea, while 4 went back to Ireland as a depot and 4 were posted in Malta as a reserve. They disembarked at Balaclava on 30 June after a voyage of more that 3 weeks. They were quartered at Kadikoi and attached to the 4th Division. The euphoria of going to war must have been quickly dispelled, not only by the long voyage, but by their employment in working parties at the base in Balaklava. They suffered from sickness so that the average number of men in hospital in the summer months was 143, while 62 men died of cholera. The whole war was a big disappointment to the regiment and to Lord Mark who had worked so hard to get there. On 16 Aug they were put in the 1st Division and marched to Tchernaya where they witnessed the battle between the Russians and the Sardinian and French army, but remained inactive. On 21 Aug they were called out again but the Russians withdrew before the battle began.

Sevastopol, 6 – 9 Sep 1855

One part of the 13th went into the trenches before Sevastopol for the first time on the night of 6 Sep. Many of them were unfamiliar with the Enfield rifles they had. On 7 Sep they moved up to the advanced trenches and came under fire. Eleven men were wounded. On 8 Sep, after a terrific allied bombardment, there was the grand attack on the Redan and Malakoff. The 1st Division were in reserve so their lack of involvement was not to the men’s satisfaction. The French captured the Malakoff, but after desperate fighting by the Guards the Redan remained in Russian hands. The next day, the 9th Sep, it was found that not only the Redan, but the city of Sevastopol had been evacuated and deserted by the enemy. There was little activity over the winter of 1855/6, and in January the work began on destroying the docks, forts and defences of Sevastopol. 

The Indian Mutiny 1857-59

The Somersets were to arrive late in 1857 but were most active in 1858 with actions at Azimghur, Nugger, Bhansee, Hurryah, Judgepore and lastly in 1858 at Toolespore.

They saw action in Nepal between January and March 1859.

The medals are swing mounted for display with nice ribbon but no clasp.