Crimea Medal with clasps 'Alma', 'Balaklava', 'Inkermann'
We don't know anything about George's family or early life. He joined the Army and served as a Private in the 63rd Regiment of Foot. He was given the service number 3424. This suggests he enlisted in early 1854 whilst the 63rd Regiment was stationed in Dublin.
The Crimean War broke out in October 1853. Britain and France joined the war against Russia in March 1854. At first the 63rd Regiment was not intended to take part in this fighting, but in June it was ordered to prepare to go to war. George arrived in the Crimea, then in Russia but today part of the Ukraine, in September 1854.
George and the 63rd Regiment played a minor role in the Battle of the Alma on the 20th September. They then moved to Cathcart's Hill, where they joined the siege of Sevastopol. The Russians attacked these forces at the Battle of Balaklava on the 25th October. George took part in this battle, which ended in a Russian victory and led to a much larger battle on the 5th November, at Inkerman.
The Russians were again the attackers, but the 63rd Regiment were ordered to counterattack. After vicious hand to hand fighting the Russian attack was defeated and they were forced to withdraw.
George had been wounded during the fighting at Inkerman. He was taken to Scutari Hospital in the centre of Istanbul, Turkey, but his wounds were too severe and he died there on the 28th November 1854.
George's medal was obtained by the Museum of the Manchester Regiment during the Second World War.
