Cpl William Lendrim Victoria Cross RE Crimea War
Digest of Citation reads:
On 14th February 1855 in the Crimea, Corporal Lendrim for courage and example while superintending 150 French Chasseurs in building the left attack of No. 9 battery, replaced the whole of the capsized gabions under extremely heavy fire. On April 11th, 1855, Corporal Lendrim got on top of a magazine and extinguished sandbags which were on fire. He also made good the breach under fire.
VICTORIA CROSS, CRIMEA WAR with Sebastopol clasp, INDIAN MUTINY MEDAL with Lucknow clasp, TURKISH CRIMEA MEDAL and VICTORIAN LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL
Medals of Corporal William Lendrim VC (1 January 1830 - 28 November 1891). He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in the Crimea in 1855.
VICTORIA CROSS
Introduced as the premier award for gallantry, available for all ranks, to cover all actions since the outbreak of the Crimean War in 1854. A cross pattee. On the observe a lion statant gardant on the royal crown, with the words FOR VALOUR on a semi-circular scroll. The Cross is suspended by a ring from a seriffed 'V' attached to a suspension bar decorated with laurel leaves. Crimson ribbon
CRIMEA MEDAL with SEBASTOPOL clasp
The Crimean War (1854 - 1856) was fought between Imperial Russia on one side and an alliance of France, the United Kingdom, and the Ottoman Empire on the other. The majority of the conflict took place on the Crimean peninsula, with additional actions occurring in western Turkey, the Baltic Sea region, and in the Russian Far East. The observe has the Wyon profile of Queen Victoria. The reverse shows a Roman soldier, armed with a circular shield and short sword, being crowned by a flying Victory. The clasp is shaped like an oak leaf with acorn finials. Ribbon is pale blue with yellow edges.
INDIAN MUTINY MEDAL with LUCKNOW clasp
This medal was awarded to troops who took part in operations to quell the Sepoy mutiny which had been the immediate cause of the uprising, although it also served to focus attention on the Honourable East India Company's conduct of affairs and led directly to the transfer of the administration of India to the crown. This medal has the clasp for the campaign at Lucknow. The observe has the Wyon profile of Queen Victoria. The reverse shows the standing figure of Britannia bestowing victor's laurels, with the British lion alongside. INDIA appears round the top with the dates 1857-1858 in the exergue. The ribbon is white with two red stripes.
TURKISH CRIMEA MEDAL
Instituted by the Sultan of Turkey, this medal was conferred on troops of the three Allies who fought in the Crimea. Although the medals were intended to be issued to British, French and Sardinian troops respectively, they were issued haphazardly due to most of the British version being lost at sea. The observe shows a cannon, weapons and the four Allied flags with LA CRIMEA 1855 in the exergue. The reverse shows the Tughra and Arabic date according to the Moslem calendar. Ribbon is crimson with green edges.
VICTORIAN LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL
Awarded to soldiers of exemplary conduct for 18 years service. The observe bears a trophy of arms with the royal arms in an oval shield in the centre. Reverse bears the inscription FOR LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT. Crimson ribbon with white edges.
LENDRIM, William James.
Corporal. Royal Engineers.
London Gazetted on 24th February, 1857.
Born on 1st January 1830 in Ireland.
Died on 28th November, 1891 at Camberley, Surrey.
Memorial at Camberley in Surrey.
If you would like to see a set of his medals go to:-
This site also has sets of other Victoria Cross winners including citations for their utmost bravery & gallantry
Source by Barry Sheppard
