Queen Victoria’s intention to issue a Crimea Medal was announced by the Duke of Newcastle (Secretary for War) to Lord Raglan (Commander-in-Chief) on 2 December 1854. It was to be conferred on all officers and men who served in the war. Each medal bore the clasps of those actions in which the recipient had been involved.

This Crimea Medal was awarded to Lieutenant Buckley of the Royal Navy, the recipient of the Victoria Cross also on display. He received clasps for his part in the battles in the Sea of Azoff along the Crimea coast, and at Sebastopol where the Navy bombarded the city. The medal was purchased by King George VI in 1951, along with the Victoria Cross and three other medals awarded to Lieutenant Buckley.