The Crimean War, unnecessary as it was, was chiefly remarkable for the general mismanagement of the campaign and for the complete breakdown of the supply of necessaries such as food, shelter and clothing. At Balaclava the aim of the Russian forces was to cut the British lines of communications from the port of Balaclava. The 93rd Foot withstood the Russian attack: the Heavy Brigade of cavalry also beat off a Russian attack, but the Light Brigade, through mistaken orders carried out a disastrous charge immortalised in Tennyson’s poem. All regiments that had landed in the Crimea before 8th September were awarded the battle honour Sevastopol. In May1855 the KDG was warned for service in the Crimea, and in July embarked at Liverpool on the transports Arabia, Himalaya, and Resolute, arriving at Balaclava in August with strength of two field officers, four captains, 8 subalterns, 6 staff officers, thirty-five NCOs, and 318 rank and files, with 268 troop horses. The Himalaya was one of the first screw-propelled steamships, and when launched was the largest in the world.
The KDG were encamped on arrival in the Crimea at Kadikoi, but within ten days were moved further inland due to an outbreak of cholera. The KDG together with the Carabiniers reinforced the original regiments of the Heavy Brigade (the 4th and 5th Dragoon Guards, the Royals, Greys and Iniskillings). The Cavalry Division, which included the Light Brigade (4th and 13th Light Dragoons, 8th and 11th Hussars, 17th Lancers, now reinforced by the 10th Hussars and 12th Lancers), was now commanded by General Scarlett. One wing of the regiment was present at the battle of Tchernaya. The Russians managed to surprise the Sardinians under cover of a thick mist, then attacked the Fedioukine Heights. The French supported the Sardinians and the Russians were driven back. The wing of the KDG was brought up in support, but although was not actively engaged. Lord George Paget described the day; ‘This may be called the poetry of battle to us – to ride out nearly three miles from one’s house in the morning; see general action; return home to a comfortable wash and breakfast, and then spend the afternoon on the battlefield.
While Sebastopol was under siege and being bombarded, the heavy cavalry had little to do. The summer passed of 1855 passed pleasantly for them: there were the routine patrols, but apart from that the officers organized race meetings. In September 1855 the troops received the issue of the Crimean War Medal, described by Colonel Hodge of the 4th Dragoon Guards as ‘a vulgar looking thing, with clasps like gin labels’, which were quickly dubbed ‘port’, ‘sherry’, and ‘claret, ‘ how odd it is that we cannot do things like people of taste’. The men of the KDG earned but one clasp for ‘Sebastopol’.