Richard Cruikshank

Richard Cruikshank served throughout the whole of the Crimea War being awarded clasps to his Crimea medal for Alma, Inkerman and Sebastopol. Having arrived in the Crimea as a Corporal, Richard was then promoted to Paymaster Sergeant following the Battle of Inkerman in November 1854.

This promotion strongly suggests that Sergeant Cruikshank was proficient in the 3 R’s; reading, writing and ‘rithmetic. This ability to read and write would have made Richard stand out. 27% of British troops at that time were illiterate, with less than 3% being competent in all skills.

Richard would have worked closely with Regimental Assistant Paymaster Thomas Palmer, whose medals are also in the museum’s collection.

During the Crimea War a British Private earned seven shillings (35p) a week compared to the National average at that time of £1. After having to pay for food, kit, washing and maintenance charges a soldier would be left with little more than a shilling a week for himself.