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Post by groundhog on Nov 1, 2011 0:14:12 GMT
Thomas Grady
Sebastapol, Crimea
18th October 1854 A British Battery at Sebastopol Thomas Grady was born in Claddagh, Co. Galway on 18th September 1835. He enlisted in the 99th Foot in June 1853, transferring to the 4th Foot in February 1854. He was a Private in the 4th Foot on 18th October 1854 at Sebastapol in the Crimea, when he volunteered to repair the embrasures of a naval battery. He carried out the work under heavy fire from the Russians and was awarded a Victoria Cross. Grady subsequently emigrated to Australia where he died in Melbourne on 18th May 1891. He is buried in Melbourne General Cemetery. His Victoria Cross is on display at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Another Irish soldier Pte Michael Regan also volunteered for the same job as Grady and was recommended for the VC. However a bureaucratic mistake meant that a Patrick Regan was recommended. By the time the mistake was rectified and the claim for the right man submitted the claim was disallowed. |
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Post by groundhog on Nov 2, 2011 14:27:25 GMT
William Mawhinney
Sebastapol, Crimea
20th October 1854 [/img][/center] William Mawhinney was born in Bangor, Co. Down in 1830. On 20th October 1854 he was a Sergeant in the 44th Foot at the Siege of Sebastopol during the Crimean War. At the Quarries a party of skirmishers were being driven back and one of them fell wounded in the open. Sgt Mawhinney rescued him under heavy fire and carried him to safety. Mawhinney performed a similar act on 5th December, rescuing another man under fire. For these acts he was awarded the Victoria Cross. William Mawhinney died in Dover, Kent on 17th May 1866. He is buried in St James Cemetery, Dover. His VC is displayed in the Essex Regiment Museum in Chelmsford, Essex. He is sometimes recorded under the name McWheeney. |
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Post by groundhog on Nov 2, 2011 14:36:22 GMT
Balaklava, Crimea
25th October 1854
John Farrell John Farrell was born in Dublin in March 1826. He was a Sergeant in the 17th Lancers at the Battle of Balaclava on 25th October 1854 during which he took part in the Charge of the Light Brigade. His horse was shot under him during the charge. Whilst dismounted he helped two other NCO's in moving a wounded Officer to cover and was awarded a Victoria Cross. Quartermaster Sergeant John Farrell was killed in action at Secunderabad, India on 31st August 1865. He is buried in Secunderabad, Cemetery. Alexander Dunn Dunn was born in York, Canada (now Toronto) to Irish parents on 15th September 1833. He bought a commission in the 11th Hussars in 1852 and served with them in the Crimea, taking part in the Charge of the Light Brigade where he won a Victoria Cross. Dunn left the army for a time after the Crimean War but rejoined in 1858 and rose to command the 33rd Foot in Abbysinia in 1867. He died in a hunting accident on 25th January 1868 at Senafe in modern-day Eritrea. Hisgrave was located by Canadian troops in the country in 2001 and restored. Dunn was the first Canadian-born VC winner. |
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Post by groundhog on Nov 2, 2011 14:45:43 GMT
Ambrose Madden
Battle of Inkerman, Crimea
26th October 1854 Ambrose Madden was born in Cork in 1820. On 26th October 1854 he was a Sergeant-Major in the 41st Foot at the Battle of Inkerman during the Crimean War. Sgt-Maj Madden led a party of troops in cutting off and capturing a Russian Officer and 14 men for which action he was awarded a Victoria Cross. Sgt-Maj Madden was commissioned an Ensign in the 2nd West Indian Regt in 1858 and promoted Lieutenant in 1861. The West Indian Regt was recruited in West Africa for service in the West Indies where Yellow Fever and Malaria decimated British soldiers. The officers were of course British, the attraction being the low cost of living for men lacking means and quick promotion due to high mortality rates. Unfortunately for Ambrose Madden his gamble didn't work out and he died in Jamaica on January 1st 1863. He is buried in Up Park Military Camp Cemetery, Kingston, Jamiaca. His VC is displayed in The Welch Regiment Museum, Cardiff. |
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Post by groundhog on Nov 2, 2011 15:19:27 GMT
Sebastopol, Crimea
30th October 1854
John Connolly  John Conolly was born on 30th May 1829 in Celbridge, Co. Kildare. On 30th October 1854 he was a Lieutenant in the 49th Foot at the Siege of Sebastopol during the Crimean War. During an attack by the Russians he was dangerously wounded while engaged in hand to hand fighting. He was awarded a Victoria Cross. John Connolly later rose to the rank of Lt-Col in the Coldstream Guards. He died in the Curragh Camp on 23rd December 1888 and is buried in Mount Jerome, Cemetery, Dublin. His VC is on display at the Grenadier Guards Regimental HQ, London. James Owens James Owens was born in Bailieboro, Co. Cavan in 1827. On 30th October 1854 he was a Corporal in the 49th Foot at the Siege of Sebastopol during the Crimean War. He was awarded a Victoria Cross for great courage during an attack by the Russians. Owens later made the rank of Sergeant. He died in Romford, Essex on 20th August 1901 and is buried in Lorne Road Cemetery, Brentwood. His VC is on display at The Rifles (Berkshire and Wiltshire) Museum, Salisbury. |
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Post by groundhog on Dec 1, 2011 19:16:59 GMT
Battle of Inkerman, Crimea
5th November 1854
Mark Walker Mark Walker was born in Finnea, Co. Westmeath on 24th November 1827, the son of Capt Alexander Walker who had served in the Peninsular war. He joined the army in 1846. On 5th November 1854 he was a Lieutenant in the 30th Foot at the Battle of Inkerman in the Crimea. During the the Russian advance his battalion was in position behind a low wall. When they attempted to fire on the Russians their muskets failed to fire because of damp so Walker jumped over the wall to encourage the men to attack two battalions of Russian Infantry with the bayonet. The Russians were driven back . Walker was later wounded at the Alma and again at Sebastopol where he lost his right arm. He later served in the 3rd Foot and rose to the rank of General. He died on 18th July 1902 in Devon and is buried in Cheriton Road Cemetery, Folkestone, Kent. His medal is in the National Army Museum in London. John Byrne John Byrne was born in Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny in September 1832. On 5th November 1854 he was a Private in the 68th Foot at the Battle of Inkerman. When his unit was retiring Byrne went back to rescue a wounded comrade under fire fro which he was awarded a Victoria Cross. John Byrne also earned a DCM and fought in New Zealand in the Maori Wars. He died in Newport, Monmouthshire on 10th July 1879. He is buried in St Woolo's Cemetery, Newport. A headstone was erected over his grave in 1985. In recent years a memorial was erected to him in Castlecomer. |
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Post by groundhog on Dec 1, 2011 21:43:31 GMT
Thomas Kavanagh
Lucknow, India
9th November 1857 Thomas Kavanagh was born in Mullingar on 15th July 1821. He was the son of a soldier but he joined the Bengal Civil Service. In 1857 he was part of the Civil Service for the state of Oudh at Lucknow during the Indian Mutiny and, like many others he was besieged at the Residency. On the 9th of November 1857, with Gen Colin Campbell's relief force approaching the city, he volunteered to make his way through the mutineer's lines and guide the relief force to the residency. He went disguised as an Indian which was pretty difficult since he was tall with red hair. For his courage he became one of only five civilians to be awarded the Victoria Cross. Kavanagh continued his career in India. On his way home on leave in 1882 he took ill and was hospitalised in Gibraltar. He died there on November 13th and is buried in North Front Cemetery, Gibraltar. His VC is on display in Toronto, Canada. |
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Post by groundhog on Dec 8, 2011 23:30:42 GMT
Hugh Gough
Alumbagh, Lucknow
12th November 1857 Hugh Gough was born in Calcutta on 14th November 1833 into a military family from the Clonmel area. On November 12th 1857 he was in command of a party of Hodson's Horse, near Alumbagh, Lucknow during the Indian Mutiny. He led a charge on a some artillery pieces protected by a large party of Mutineers, capturing them. His horse was wounded twice during the action. Lt Gough distinguished himself again in February 1858 near Lucknow. For his bravery he was awarded a Victoria Cross. He later rose to the rank of General and was Knighted. He was also Keeper of the Jewel Room in the Tower of London. Hugh Gough died in London on 12th May 1909 and is buried in Kensal Green Cemetery. |
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Post by groundhog on Dec 8, 2011 23:31:56 GMT
Francis Brown
Narnoul, India
16th November 1857 Francis Brown was born in India on 7th August 1837to Irish parents. On November 16th 1857 he was a Lieutenant in the 1st Bengal European Fusiliers at Narnoul, India during the Mutiny. He risked his life in rescuing a wounded soldier under fire and was awarded a Victoria Cross. Brown rose to the rank of Colonel and died in Sandown, Isle of Wight on 21st November 1895. He is buried in West Hill Cemetery, Winchester. His medal is on display at Wellington College, Crowthorne, Berkshire. www.royalmunsterfusiliers.org/e6brown.htm |
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Post by groundhog on Dec 8, 2011 23:33:38 GMT
Relief of Lucknow
September- November 1857 The Secundera Bagh at Lucknow The Relief of Lucknow saw the award of several Victoria Crosses to Irish soldiers. Lucknow was the capital city of the Indian state of Oudh which had been annexed by Britain in 1856. In early May 1857 a mutiny, which had been simmering for several years amongst Indian troops of the Bengal Army, broke out in Meerut. Sir Henry Lawrence, the Commissioner in Oudh began organising his defences should the mutiny spread to his area. He fortified the Residency in the city as a place that civilians from outlying areas could come to for protection from mutineers. The fortified area encompassed about 60 acres and included smaller buildings, trenches and artillery batteries. To defend the Residency, Lawrence had one British battalion- the 32nd Foot, some Sikh troops and Indian pensioners recalled to the colours. Eventually the garrison would consist of 855 British soldiers, 712 Indian Soldiers, 153 civilian volunteers, and 1,280 non-combatants. Amongst the Irish defenders were Capt Lawrence and Pte Thomas Dowling of the 32nd. Both would win VCs during the siege. Thomas Kavanagh was also an Irishman in the garrison. He would become one of only five VCs awarded to a civilian. By the beginning of June British authority outside Lucknow had ceased to exist. On the 10th Lawrence led a reconnaissance in force to find a rebel force reported to be north of Lucknow. This was a disaster and the force retreated in disorder back to the city. The Siege of Lucknow began on 30th June with an artillery bombardment. The first assault began on July 1st. On the 2nd July, Lawrence was mortally wounded and died on the 4th. The Commanding Officer of the 32nd, Lt-Col John Inglis assumed command in Lucknow. The first relief attempt began after Cawnpore, itself under siege, was recaptured on 16th July. Gen Henry Havelock led a relief expedition towards Lucknow on the 20th. However he only had a force of 1500 men and after winning a battle at Unao on 29th July, Havelock retreated with 850 survivors and sent for reinforcements from Cawnpore. Brigadier Neill in the town only sent 250 men but Havelock again attempted to advance to Lucknow. He fought and won another battle at Unao on August 4th but was again forced to retreat as far as the river Ganges due to lack of men. A week later Neill reported a force of rebels advancing on Cawnpore. Havelock, threatened by a force of mutineers had to advance and throw them back, at Unao once more and then withdraw across the Ganges to fight off the threatening force at Cawnpore. This battle he fought and won at Bithur on August 16th. Havelock began preparations for another relief attempt. However he was superseded in command by General James Outram who arrived in Cawnpore with reinforcements on 15th September. Outram allowed Havelock to command the relief expedition which began on September 18th September. Havelock had to lead his troops on a direct attack on the city as monsoon flooding prevented any flanking movements. Havelock's force fought its way into the Residency on 25th September, losing over 500 men on the way. By the time they got there the relieving force was too small to actually evacuate the garrison and they just reinforced it while the mutineers resumed the siege. The original garrison ahd been fighting for 87 days and was reduced to less that 1,000 fighting men. They were also starving at which point someone discovered that Lawrence had hidden supplies beneath the Residency. He had died before he could tell anyone where they were. During this first advance on Lucknow, Irish VC winners have been recorded on Pages 3 and 4 of this thread. In late September and early October 1857 the British were concerned with recapturing Delhi and clearing the country between that city and Cawnpore of rebel forces. By late October Maj Gen James Grant had arrived to take command in Cawnpore. Behind him was a new Commander in Chief in India, General Colin Campbell. Campbell ordered Grant to advance to the Alumbagh but not to attempt the relief of the Residency. By November 3rd Campbell was in Cawnpore and he led a column of 4,000 troops and 42 guns to Lucknow. Campbell's attack on Lucknow Campbell's relief attempt began on the 14th November. Instead of the direct approach that had caused Outram such casualties in September, Campbell attacked along the right flank on the banks of the Gumti River. Campbell advanced quickly, capturing rebel positions along the way and was forced to pause the advance to allow supplies to catch up on 15th November. The final advance on the Residency began on the morning of the 16th. Heavy fighting continued through the day as the soldiers took rebel positions at the Secunders Bagh, the Shah Najaf Mosque ad the Moti Mahal. Eventually the Residency was reached and the garrison was relieved. The siege wasn't over though because the rebels remained in control of most of Lucknow. Campbell decided to evacuate the residency, the evacuation beginning on November 19th to the Dilkusha Park. The evacuation was completed by 21st. From there the retreat continued to the Alambagh, where Campbell left a garrison of 4,000 men under Outram. The rest of the army and the civilians withdrew to Cawnpore. Gen Havelock died of dysentry in Dilkusha Park on November 24th. Campbell recaptured Lucknow on 21st March 1858. Twenty-four Victoria Crosses were awarded for actions on 16th November 1857, most of them for actions at the Secundera Bagh. |
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Post by groundhog on Dec 9, 2011 14:05:59 GMT
Lucknow, India
16th November 1857
John Dunlea John Dunlea was born in Douglas, Cork in 1831. On November 16th 1857 he was a L/Cpl in the 93rd Foot in action at the Secundera Bagh at Lucknow, India during the relief of the town. Along with Capt Burroughs he entered the breach in the walls of the building and fought his way through the defenders. Dunlea survived and was elected by the Privates of the Regiment to receive the Victoria Cross. Dunlea died in Cork on 17th October 1890 and is buried in St. Joseph's Cemetery. His VC is on display at the Sheesh Mahal Museum, Patiala, India. His surname is sometimes given as Dunley or Dunlay. Peter Grant Another Irishman in the ranks of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders at Lucknow on November 16th 1857 was Pte Peter Grant. Grant was born in Ireland in 1824. At Lucknow, his commanding officer captured an enemy colour. While he was carrying it off, Grant covered his retreat, killing five mutineers in hand to hand combat. Like John Dunlea, Grant was elected to receive the Victoria Cross. Peter Grant drowned in the River Tay in Dundee, Scotland on January 10th 1868 and he is buried in the Eastern Necropolis, Dundee in an unmarked grave. A Memorial bench was placed near his grave in May 2003. www.victoriacross.org.uk/bbbeagra.htmJohn Harrison John Harrison was born in Castleboro, Co. Wexford on January 24th 1832. He joined the Royal Navy in 1850 and fought in the Crimean War. On 16th November 1857 he was serving with the Naval Brigade at Lucknow. His Captain called for volunteers to climb a tree in order to fire on the defenders of a fortified area called the Shah Najiff. Harrison and another man named Nowell did so at great danger to themselves. They were awarded a Victoria Cross. John Harrison left the Navy in 1859 with the rank of Boatswain's Mate to take up employment with the Customs and Excise. He died in London on December 27th 1865 of complications from a wound sustained at Lucknow. He is buried in Brompton Cemetery, London. His VC is on display at the Maritime Museum in Greenwich. Samuel Hill Samuel Hill was born in Glenavy, Co. Antrim in 1826. He joined the 67th Foot in 1844, transferring to the 90th in 1856. On 16th November 1857 he was a Sergeant in the 90th Foot at Lucknow. During the storming of the Secundra Bagh he saved the life of Captain Irby by warding off with a sword cut with his musket. He also went out under heavy fire to help two wounded men. Hill was elected by the NCOs of the Regiment to receive a Victoria Cross. Sgt Hill died at Meerut, India on 21st February 1863. He is buried in St John's Cemetery, Meerut. His Victoria Cross is on display in the Tolson Memorial Museum, Huddersfield, Yorkshire. Charles Irwin Charles Irwin was born in Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim in 1824. His initial service was in the 18th Foot. He served numerous terms of imprisonment during his military service. On November 16th 1857 he was a Private in the 53rd Foot at the Relief of Lucknow during the Indian Mutiny. During the attack on the Secundra Bagh he was severely wounded in the right shoulder. Despite this he was one of the first men to enter the buildings under heavy fire. He was elected by the private soldiers of his Regiment to receive the Victoria Cross. He died on 29th March 1873 in Newtownbutler, Co. Fermanagh and was buried in Saint Mark's Churchyard Magheraveely, County Fermanagh. His VC is on display at the King's Shropshire Light Infantry Museum in Shrewsbury |
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Post by groundhog on Dec 11, 2011 22:08:35 GMT
John Caffrey
La Brique, France
16th November 1915 John Caffrey was born in Birr, Co. Offaly on 23rd October 1891. During World War 1 he served in 2nd Bn Yorks and Lancs. On November 16th 1915 Pte John Caffrey at La Brique, France, Caffrey and a Corporal of the Royal Army Medical Corps went to the rescue of a man badly wounded and lying in No Man's Land. At their first attempt they were driven back by shell-fire. On their second they reached the man and bandaged his wounds. As they lifted him to bring him to safety, the RAMC Corporal was shot in the head. Caffrey bandaged him, brought him to safety and then returned under fire to rescue the first casualty. For his courage he was awarded a Victoria Cross. John Caffrey survived the war and died in Derby on 22nd February 1953. He is buried in Southern Cemetery, Nottingham. His VC is on display in York & Lancaster Regiment Museum, Rotherham. gtpw.wordpress.com/2008/11/02/vc-heroes-of-the-boys-brigade-1/ |
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Post by groundhog on Dec 11, 2011 23:11:08 GMT
James Jackman James Jackman was born in Dublin on 19th March 1916. On November 25th 1941 he was a Company Commander in 1st Bn, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers at Tobruk, Libya. He led his machine gun company in an attack on German anti-tank guns which were holding the attack of British tanks on El Duda Ridge. During the course of the battle he moved his MGs across the battlefield between the German and British Lines. For his courage Capt Jackman was awarded what would prove to be a posthumous Victoria Cross. He was killed in action the following day, 26th November 1941. Captain James Jackman is buried in Tobruk War Cemetery. His VC is on display at Stonyhurst College, Lancashire. |
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Post by groundhog on Aug 20, 2012 23:01:18 GMT
Henry Gore-Browne
Lucknow, India
21st August 1857 Henry Gore-Browne was born in Newtown Co. Roscommon on 30th September 1830. His parents were Arthur Browne and his wife Anna nee Clements. On 21st August 1857 he was a Captain in the 32nd Foot (Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry)at the Siege of Lucknow during the Indian Mutiny. A pair of cannon were doing a lot of damage to the Lucknow defences and Capt Gore-Browne led a sortie to spike the guns, which they succeeded in doing, killing about a hundred of the enemy in the process. At the time he was plain old Captain Browne. He changed his name by deed poll in 1912 by which time he had risen to Colonel and become Deputy Governor of the Isle of Wight. He died on 15th November 1912 and is buried on the Isle of Wight. His medals are in the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry Museum |
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Post by groundhog on Aug 31, 2012 23:09:16 GMT
Claude Nunney
Vis en Artois, France
1st September 1918 Nunney was born in Dublin on Christmas Eve 1892. Alternatively he may have been born in England. Doherty and Truesdale claim him for Dublin so that’s good enough for me. As a child he went to Canada as part of a child emigration scheme and he joined the army on the outbreak of WW1. Claude Nunney served in 38th (Ottawa) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force. On 1st September 1918 his battalion was in the vicinity of Vis-en-Artois, preparatory to the advance on the Drocourt-Queant Line. His citation for the Victoria Cross states that… “ the enemy laid down a heavy barrage and counter-attacked. Pte. Nunney, who was at this time at company headquarters, immediately on his own initiative proceeded through the barrage to the company outpost lines, going from post to post and encouraging the men by his own fearless example. The enemy were repulsed and a critical situation was saved.
During the attack on Sept. 2nd, his dash continually placed him in advance of his companions, and his fearless example undoubtedly helped greatly to carry the company forward to its objectives.”Nunney was wounded in the attack and died of his injuries on 18th September 1918. He is buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France. His medals, including the Military Medal and Distinguished Conduct Medal he won at Vimy Ridge, are on display in Cornwall Armoury, Ontario. Military Medal and Distinguished Conduct Medal Citations Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal - official citation: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Although wounded in two places, and his section wiped out, he continued to advance, carrying his gun and ammunition, and alone stopping an attack by over 200 enemy. He continued on duty for three days, showing exceptional fearlessness, and doing magnificent work." - unit recommendation dated 17 April 1917: "For gallant conduct while in charge of a machine gun Section during operations of Apr. 9/17."Awarded the Military Medal - no official citation - unit recommendation dated 3 July 1917: "This N.C.O. took charge of his Platoon in an advanced position in Avion, after his Platoon Officer had been wounded. He displayed the greatest energy, strength and courage, remaining continuously on duty from June 28th to June 30th/17. He also proceeded to the assistance of a wounded man when no S.B. was available."With thanks to this guy 38thbattalion.blogspot.ie/2011/06/private-claude-joseph-patrick-nunney-vc.html |
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