Medal of Florence Nightingale's guard for auction

A British military award medal given to a Devon-born soldier who kept Florence Nightingale safe during the Crimean War is being put up for auction.

Noonans Mayfair said the Distinguished Conduct Medal was awarded to Pte Samuel Vickery of the Coldstream Guards for hand-to-hand fighting at the Battle of Inkermann on 5 November 1854.

Pte Vickery was part of the force which "held the Russian enemy at the point of a bayonet and helped recapture a vital battery" and was appointed Ms Nightingale's "bodyguard", the auctioneers said.

Oliver Pepys, associate director and medal specialist, said he was "struck down" by frostbite after the battle and Ms Nightingale "came to his aid".

He said: "The heroine of the Crimea intervened to ask that Vickery be appointed her orderly and effective bodyguard.

"It was an appointment that was to prove crucial to the success of her role in treating the wounded and introducing new health practices that have echoed down the years.

"The auction brings to life once more the fascinating tale of how an army private became Florence Nightingale's indispensable and trusted bodyguard, about whom she wrote: 'I cannot speak too highly of Vickery's honesty and trustworthiness'."

Pte Vickery worked as Ms Nightingale's orderly and bodyguard at Scutari Hospital in Turkey, ensuring her safety and supporting her work in improving hospital hygiene.

The auctioneers said Pte Vickery "always waited for Miss Nightingale to finish her rounds at night and accompanied her on her daily journeys between the hospital and her house".

"It was Vickery who ensured Nightingale's safety and protection from unwanted advances from drunken and licentious," it added.

The medal will be auctioned on Wednesday 14 January and is expected to go for between £7,000 and £9,000.

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