*A Scarce Crimean War M.S.M. Long Service and Al Valore Militare Group of 5 awarded to Sergeant Major Richard Henshall, 1st Battalion 1st Foot (Royal Scots) – one of just two N.C.O.s to receive the Al Valore Militare for ‘faithful, zealous and active’ service throughout the campaign, comprising: Crimea, 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Serjt Major. R. Henshall 1st Royals), regimentally impressed; Army Meritorious Service, VR, 2nd type with scrolling suspension (Serjt. Major Richd Henshall 1st Foot); Army Long Service and Good Conduct, VR, w (1847. St Majr Richd Henshall, 1st Bn 1st Foot.); Turkish Crimea, 1855-56, British issue (1847 Serjt. Major. R. Henshall. The Royal Regiment), regimentally impressed; Italy, Al Valore Militare, in silver, for the Crimean War 1855-56, reverse engraved ‘Serjt. Maj. R. Henshall. 1st Bn. 1st Regt.’; Group loose, very fine to about extremely fine (5) Italy, Kingdom of Sardinia, Al Valore Militare, medal in silver: ‘Faithful, zealous, and active in the discharge of arduous duties throughout the whole campaign. 1847 Sergeant-Major Richard Henshall served with the 1st Regiment of Foot (Royal Scots) in the Crimea. While details are scant regarding the particulars of his service, he was awarded the Sardinian Al Valore Militare for his consistent good work shown throughout the campaign – receiving this medal in person from the King of Sardinia himself. He also received the Army Meritorious Service Medal, and the Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. His M.S.M. in confirmed in the book ‘The Annuity Meritorious Service Medal 1847-1953’ by McInnes,which records the existence of this group He was discharged to pension in 1864 at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, and died on 29 September 1893.
Estimate: £1400-£1800