This sketch depicts The Presentation of Crimean Medals by Queen Victoria, which took place in the morning of 18 May 1855 on Horse Guards Parade. The Queen presented medals to officers and soldiers from every regiment engaged in the campaign, and to naval personnel. The Times newspaper described them as 'the gallant fellows who have done their part in sustaining the honour of our country, and poured out their blood like water in its defence'. The Queen and Prince Albert stood on a dais, the Queen in a lilac silk dress, green shawl and white bonnet. The Queen was very moved by the occasion which she noted 'united high & low & brought all equally together as heroes … the 1st time that a simple Private has touched the hand of his Sovereign'. She was particularly affected by three men who were so severely wounded that they had to be wheeled past her.

This is a sketch made in the preparation of George Housman Thomas's finished painting of the event (RCIN 405109). It is drawn from a point nearer to Queen Victoria and may have been made at the ceremony itself or soon afterwards. The figure in the wheelchair in the right foreground here is seen in the distance in the final version.