BRITISH HIGHLAND 2 PIECE BELT BUCKLE 4 LIGHT DRAGOONS, BATTLE OF BALACLAVAM,1854

Description

BRITISH HIGHLAND 2 PIECE BELT BUCKLE 4 LIGHT DRAGOONS, BATTLE OF BALACLAVAM,1854
This British 2 piece Highland belt buckle was worn by Sergeant Edward Campbell when he served in the 4
th
(The Queen’s Own) Light Dragoons Regiment in the Highland Brigade during the Crimean War.                                                 He as an aide to Brigadier & Major General Colin Campbell who was the commander of the Highland Brigade & was the lesion aide between the general & Lieutenant Colonel Lord George Paget of the 4
th
. Dragoons.                                          He was killed during the Charge of the Light Brigade on October 24, 1854
This buckle is 3 ½” long with the wreath half having a 2” diameter circle with DIEU ET (around the top) & MON DROIT (around the bottom) cast in high relief & a 2 3/8” belt attachment on the right side.                                                           The spoon half has a 1 3/16” diameter spoon with Scottish symbols cast in high relief & a 2 3/8” belt attachment on the left side.                                                                                                                                                                                   It is in very good condition with a beautiful aged green (corrosion) patina.                                                                            This buckle was returned to the Campbell clan family by General Colin Campbell in 1855.                                                  It was bought directly from the Campbell family & comes with a certificate of authenticity & historical research.
*
4
TH
. The Queen’s Own) light Dragoon Regiment
The regiment marched to Dorchester in May, 1854 to join the army being assembled for the Crimean War. On the 2nd July the order was received and the regiment was formed into 2 squadrons of two troops each; each with a total of 21 officers and 299 other ranks. On the 12th July the regiment assembled in Exeter and marched to Plymouth and the troopship 'Simla' on the 19th July.
The regiment took part in the battle of Alma in September, the infamous 'Charge of the Light Brigade' at Balaclava on 25th October, 1854.