We are not sure why this was written but it may have been to accompany his application for the post of Staff Sergeant Major at Kilmainham

1st.During my first term of duty in the trenches about 20th. July 1855 some of a large number of 13 inch carcass shells stored near the Mortar Battery in the Right Attack took fire. Immediately the smoke ascended above the parapet the Russians opened fire upon the spot and several men were injured. I rolled away the shells nearest to those that were igniting and thereby prevented the spread of the fire. I was told at the time that my conduct would be taken notice of but I heard nothing more about it

2nt. The Orderly Room clerk of the regiment having been sent home sick I was ordered to take charge of the Orderly Room solely for the purpose of keeping a supervision over the assistant clerks and though struck off all parades and duties I went regularly with my company when the Regiment turned out which was every night that it was not in the trenches for some time prior to the fall of Sebastopol.

3rd. In the morning of the 8th Sept. 1855 I was told that being in charge of the Orderly Room I need not go with the Regiment to the attack. I replied that I was only nominally in charge of the Orderly Room but was in reality the Color Sergeant of a company and having submitted that my place was with that company I was allowed to go. When passing through the trenches to the place appointed for the supports I was struck in the chest by a grape shot which had ricocheted from the parapet and was severely bruised. The Adjutant Lieut. Sanders who saw the affair and after inquiring if I was much hurt advised me to remain where I was, but as soon as I recovered my breath, the bugles sounding the advance I crossed the parapet with about 20 men of the Regiment and went on to the Redan.

As soon as I arrived at the edge of the ditch in front of the salient angle I was shot through the right thigh. Mr. Sanders then coming to me I told him of it, he said he thought I had better go back. I replied that “I had done nothing for Old England yet and I would not go back as long as I could pull a trigger”. I then proceeded in front of the left face of the Redan towards the Malakoff and got slightly bruised by a musket shot which passed through the thick part of my shoulder knot. On turning around I saw Captain Stephenson lying on the ground wounded, I conveyed him from the exposed position in which he was lying and then sent him to the rear, on returning to the ditch I saw Ensign Kerr on the ground wounded, I removed him also and sent him back by some men of the Regiment. Had I brought either of these officers back the whole way I would in all probability have been decorated the Victoria Cross but I considered my place to be in the front and accordingly went on again towards the Malakoff and seeing a favorable spot knelt down and from thence shot down four of the enemy.

Mr. Sanders seeing me thus engaged came to where I was, immediately he spoke to me I stood up and at that moment received my severest and most dangerous wound from a musket ball which lodged very high up in my left thigh. I told him that I had got it very heavily now,. He put his arm around me and led me into a hole formed by the explosion of a shell, he tried to strap up the wound but everything around me grew black as midnight and I thought I was dying I told Mr. Sanders I was going, he said “Don’t go my boy you are too good a soldier to lose” I asked him if he would say of me that I was a good soldier and he said “Yes I will always say so”. I felt him forcing his brandy flask between my teeth and I remembered no more for sometime.

Soon recovering consciousness I again went up towards the Redan and was shot in the left shoulder by a pistol bullet which has not been extracted. The bugles then sounding the Retire I made my back to the trenches and went to the doctor’s hut to get my wounds dressed and the bullet out of my leg thinking that I would then be able to go with the next attack that I understood was about being formed but I was powerless. I had done all that was permitted me to do.

Having been promised by Colonel Mauleverer prior to my leaving the Crimea to be recommended for a Commission in case I should be returned as fit for service I underwent an operation on board ship during passage home after which I progressed rapidly in health and strength and also having obtained private opinion of Staff Surgeon Major Fyffe – then stationed at Fort Pitt, Chatham- that my wounds, though severe and dangerous, were of such a nature that when once they got well would not trouble me for years I did all I could to get passed for service, and at the last, when going before the Commissioner of Army Pensions, I left the crutch and sling for my arm outside the door in the hope that they would send me back to serve with my Regiment. I feel assured that had I acted differently and made the most of my wounds I would have been granted a larger pension than that awarded to me of one shilling and sixpence a day.

I beg to refer to Colonel Pakenham, Colonel Whitmore, Captain G. H. Sanders, Captain Morisom, Staff Surgeon Major Fyffe (Netley) for testimonial as to my conduct both in the Field and in Barracks and to Henry Tatum Esq. Controller War Office for the time employed in the Military Store Department since September 1861

Hastings Mc Allister 1st. Class

Military Store Clerk, late Color Sergeant

30th. Regiment.

I have known bearer Hastings Mc Allister for eleven years. He served under my command in the 30th. Foot at the siege of Sebastopol and was dangerously wounded at the assault of the Great Redan on the 8th, of September 1855, in consequence of which he was invalided and sent home. Had it not been so, I most certainly should have recommended him for a commission in consideration of his gallantry as a soldier and the excellent character invariably borne by him.

J. T. Mauleverer

Colonel. Late 30th, Foot

The Rectory,

Tipperary.

16th February 1866.

Mr Hastings Mc Allister - late Color Sergeant 30th Regiment is strongly recommended for the appointment of Sergeant Major at the Royal Hospital Dublin by Colonel Moorsom commanding 37th. Regimental District, late Comdg 1st East Lancashire (30th) Regiment.

Color Sergeant Mc Allister served with the 30th Regiment in the Crimean War with great distinction, was recommended for a Commission for his gallantry at the Attack on the Redan but was so strongly wounded that day his invaliding was rendered necessary He is in possession of * the Medal for Distinguished Conduct, French War Medal, etc. etc.

His character in the 30th Regiment was the very highest and his name is still a “household word” in the Battalion.

Mr Mc Allister has been for years employed in the Ordnance Office Montpellier Hill, Dublin, where Col. Moorsom is aware he is held in high esteem.

Though getting on in years he is very active, smart, and full of work and would Col. Moorsom is confident, should he obtain the appointment, give perfect satisfaction.

Winchester

21st Jume 1890.

* “in possession of “ is crossed out and in the margin is what appears to be “recorded for” He had been awarded the French War Medal in 1857 but I have no information on the Distinguished Conduct Medal. He also held the Crimea Medal, the Turkish Crimea Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.

Re:61010/3965

Horse Guards,

War Office, S. W.

18th. July 1893.

Sir,

I am directed by the Commander-in -Chief to aquaint you that Her Majesty the Queen has been pleased to approve, on the recommendation of His Royal Highness, of the grant of an annuity of £10 together with a silver medal to1st. Class Military Store Clerk Hastings Mc Allister, late Colour Sergeant 30th. Foot as a reward for his long and highly meritorious service, including the Crimean Campaign, in which he distinguished himself.

The annuity to date from 3rd. January 1893 inclusive.

I have to add that the medal when prepared will be forwarded to you by the Commissary General of Ordnance, Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, for presentation to 1st. Class Military Store Clerk Mc Allister.

I have the honour to be etc.

R. B. Lane.

A. M. S.

The Station Paymaster.

30th. Regimental District

Burnley.