Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 25001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 106

Pair: Captain William Gammell, 39th (Dorsetshire) Regiment of Foot

Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Lieutenant W. Gammell, 39th Regt.); Turkish Crimea (Lieutenant W. Gammell, 39th Regt.), both contemporarily engraved in upright capitals, individually mounted upon twin-pronged silver riband buckles and their original ribands, contained within a bespoke fitted leather case, the top lid tooled in gilded letters stating 'Medals of Capt. William Gammell, Late 39th Regiment', traces of old lacquer, highlights polished and contact marks, about very fine (2)

William Gammell, fifth son of Captain James Gammell, was born at Beech Hill, County Down, on 11 July 1833. Whilst little is known of his early life, on 12 March 1852 he was commissioned Ensign in the 39th (Dorsetshire) Regiment of Foot and just over one year later purchased his lieutenancy in the same unit. Lieutenant Gammell and the 39th embarked for the Crimea in the spring of 1854 where they participated in the Siege of Sevastopol and assault on the Redan on 18 June (Waterloo Day) 1855. Interestingly, Gammell and three of his comrades may have been the subject of one of Roger Fenton's famous photographs from the campaign.

In 1856 the regiment were sent to Canada (exchanging one harsh climate for another) and a year later Gammell purchased his captaincy. From 1859-64 further garrison duty beckoned in Bermuda, but not long afterward Captain Gammell resigned his commission to take up a post as a Barrack Clerk in the Transport Commissariat. The reason for this extreme and unusual change of career is unknown, but this position took him to London, Hong Kong, and Dublin prior to his retirement in October 1878. Appearing to settle-down (he married Caroline Brennan in May 1881), sadly domestic bliss was to barely last a year before Gammell died of 'acute bronchitis' on 23 March 1882 at the young age of 48. There were no children from his marriage, and indeed his widow was only to survive him by four years.

For the medals of his father, Captain James Gammell see Lot 104, and for the medals of a brother, Captain Harcourt Gammell R.N., see Lot 105.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Estimate
£250 to £350

Starting price
£200