The Somerset Light Infantry - The Crimean War, 1855
The Regiment was stationed in Gibraltar at the outbreak of the Crimean War, and it looked as though they would remain there for the duration. However, on 22 December 1854 the Colonel of the Regiment, Colonel Charles Stuart, retired and was replaced by Colonel Lord Mark Kerr, previously of the 20th Regiment. Colonel Kerr had been asking the Horse Guards for several months for the command of the battalion or an appointment in the Crimean, and was about to proceed to the Crimea on his own account when he was gazetted to the 13th. Once Colonel of the Regiment, Kerr tried every possible way to get his men sent to the Crimea, even writing to the Commander-in-Chief.
Lord Mark Kerr's wish was granted on 24 May 1854, when the regiment received news that they were to proceed to the Crimea, with the regiment embarking on 7 June. However, by the time the 13th arrived at Balaclava, the war had already been raging for ten months and the siege of Sevastopol was entering its last stages. By this time too, the horrendous medical transport problems had largely been alleviated.
On their arrival, the Regiment was quartered near the village of Kadikoi as part of the 4th Division. The Regiment spent the first two months in working parties near Balaclava, but suffered badly from disease - 62 men died from cholera. Throughout August, the Regiment marched from position to position to protect the British positions from suspected Russian attacks. 6 September saw the Regiment entering the trenches close to Sebastopol for the first time. The siege ended just a month later. By the following February, armistice terms were agreed and the 13th returned to Gibraltar. It was a brief involvement in the war but still resulted in the award of the 'Sebastopol' battle honour, and the award of the Crimean medal.
