The Crimean War, 1855
At the outbreak of the Crimean War the regiment was stationed in
Gibraltar 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 a 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. Plus the horrendous medical and 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 first two months were employed in working parties near Balaclava, but the regiment suffered heavily through sickness, with sixty-two men dying from cholera. Throughout August the regiment marched from position to position in an aim to protect the British positions from suspected Russian attacks. The 6 September saw the regiment entering the trenches close to Sebastopol for the first time, however, just a month later the siege was ended. 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.