Watch List notes:

Crimea, 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Capt R. L. Lye. 20th Regt.), officially impressed, lightly polished with hairlines, reverse edge bump, very fine to good very fine. Captain Richard Leigh Lye (d.1855) was born c. 1820, the son of Dr John Bleeck Lye, a notable Doctor of Medicine in Hereford, and nephew to Captain Benjamin Leigh Lye, 11th Light Dragoons, of Bath. He joined the 20th (East Devonshire) Foot as an Ensign on 3 November 1837. He was then promoted to Lieutenant (by purchase) on 9 August 1839, and then to Captain (again by purchase) on 30 December 1845. His service saw him travel to Bermuda in November 1841, and then to Quebec on 21 September 1847, before returning to England in June 1853. At the outbreak of war, he was present with his regiment in the Crimea, taking part in the battles of Alma, Inkermann, and Sebastopol. At Inkermann in particular, the 20th took part in vicious hand to hand fighting, and made a gallant bayonet charge against the opposing Russian forces. During the Siege of Sebastopol, Captain Lye, at age 33, was one of a great many officers and men who died as a result of the ravages of disease (often Cholera) and exposure: '10th ult., (died) in the camp before Sebastopol, Capt. Richard Leigh Lye, of the 20th Regiment of Foot, only son of Dr. Bleeck Lye, of Hereford, and nephew Capt. Leigh Lye, of Bath. This promising officer, after gallantly leading his company in the thickest of the fight at Inkermann, has since sunk, worn down by fatigue and exposure. He was much esteemed and beloved by his brother officers for his worth and friendship in the days of peace, and for his true bravery and courage in the hour of danger.' (Salisbury and Winchester Journal, 6 January 1855, © The British Library Board). A monument to Captain Lye was raised in his honour at the officers' graveyard at Cathcart Hill.