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Chapter 1: Crimean War - Colin Gilchrist
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At the outset of the Crimean War Colin Gilchrist had been with the Scots Fusilier Guards for 4 years. He was 23 years old and a newly promoted corporal. Within 6 months of the war he was promoted to a sergeant. Of the 4 battles, Colin took part in 2 of them: Alma and Sebastapol, and received medal clasps for both battles (Ref: WO100/25, National Archives). Also, both battles were to leave him wounded: during the Alma he was wounded in the leg, and in the trenches before Sebastapol he was wounded in the foot (Ref: WO97/1862; National Archives).
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Colin's granddaughter, Olive Wilson Gilchrist, recorded in her notes that Colin ' ... saw service with the guards in the Crimea and saw Florence Nightingale there ...'. Which would have been the case for him to see Florence Nightingale as he had been wounded. The hospital where Florence Nightingale worked was in Scutari, and records show Corporal Colin Gilchrist passing through the Scutari depot from 1st to the 14th January 1855. He was well enough following his Scutari discharge to be returned to the regiment. (Ref: WO14/4; National Archives)
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Colin Gilchrist with his medals from Crimean War, 1856.
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The original Crimea War Medal awarded to Colin Gilchrist.
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Colin spent 20 years in the guards. When he voluntarily discharged from the service he received the following write-up:
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'... his conduct has been that of a very good and efficient Non com(missioned) officer, trustworthy and sober, zealous in the performance of all his duties. He is in possession of the Crimean Medal with two clasps and the Turkish Medal and he has received the Government Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct. He would have been in possession of five Good Conduct badges on the 30th November 1871 had he not been promoted to the rank of sergeant . He has never been tried by Court Martial and his name does not appear in the Regimental defaulter's book ...'. (Ref: WO97/1862; National Archives)
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