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History of the Victoria Cross (Private) Scots (Fusilier) Guards Decorated for his gallant behaviours on September 20th 1854, at the battle of Alma, Crimea, when the formation of the line being thrown into disorder, Reynolds rallied the men round the Colours.
LUKE O’COMMOR (Colour-Sergeant, now Major General, retired) 23rd,
The Royal Welsh Fusiliers Colour-Sergeant O’Connor is remarkable instance of a man rising from the ranks to one of the highest positions in the army by sheer merit and bravery. On September 20th 1954, at the battle of Alma, he snatched the fallen Colours from the hands of Lieut. Anstruther, whose blood dyed them as he fell. Although severely wounded himself, being shot in the breast, he persisted in carrying the Queen’s Colours throughout the day. On September 8th following, he behaved with marked gallantry at the Redan, where he was shot through both thighs. General O’Connor was born on February 21st 1831. After serving through the Crimean War, he fought in the Indian Mutiny 1857-58, and the Ashantee Expedition 1873. He retired from the service in 1887. EDWARD W. D. BELL (Captain, afterwards Major General, C.B.) 23rd The Royal Welsh Fusiliers Knight Of The
Legion Of Honour Captain Bell won the Victoria Cross on the heights of Alma on September 20th 1854. Though more than decimated, the gallant Welsh charged up the hill in face of the Russian batteries and dense columns of infantry. The enemy was speedily in retreat. Captain Bell, seeing the enemy’s gunners in front of him preparing to ride off with one of their guns, which was actually limbered up, rushed forward, seized the leading horse, and, single handed captured the fieldpiece. All his senior officers being killed or wounded, he found himself in command of the regiment, which he successfully brought out of action. The gun was afterwards placed at Woolwich, the horses serving for some time in what was known as the “Black Battery.”
Major-General Bell became Lieutenant in April 1842; Captain in December
1848; Brevet-Major 1854; Lieut. -Colonel in Jan 1858, Colonel in August 1862,
and Major General on March 6th 1868. Was appointed to the command of the Belfast District February
28th 1875. JOHN PARK (Sergeant) 77th
Regiment Awarded the Victoria Cross for many acts of bravery and devotion in the Crimean War. He was noticed for his conduct at the battles of Alma and Inkerman; highly distinguished himself on April 19th 1855, at the taking of the Russian rifle pits, earning special praise from Colonel Egerton at the time; was severely wounded, and remarked for his determined resolution at the two attacks on the Redan. COLLINGWOOD DICKSON (Brevet Lieut. -Colonel, now General, G.C.B.) Royal Artillery During the first bombardment of Sebastopol on October 17th 1854, Sir Collingwood Dickson, seeing that his men were running short of ammunition, went repeatedly with great courage under a hurricane of shot and shell, and carried barrels of powder to them from the magazine. In addition to this he stood for hours exposed to all the dangers around him, directing the unloading and storing of ammunition. This was the first cross-awarded for the siege of Sebastopol. General Sir Collingwood Dickson son of the late Major-General Sir A. Dickson, G.C.B., was born on November 20th 1817. Educated at R.M.A., Woolwich. Entered R.A., 1835, and was promoted Captain 1846; Brevet Lieut. –Colonel 1854; Colonel, June 1855; General, October 1877; Inspector-General of Artillery 1870-75; colonel Commandant R.A., 1875. Retired in 1885. WILLIAM PEEL (Captain, Afterwards K.C.B.) Royal Navy Captain Peel was awarded the Victoria Cross for three specific acts of bravery. On October 18th 1854, at the greatest possible risk, he picked up a live shell (the fuse of which was still burning) from several powder cases outside the Magazine, and threw it over the parapet. The shell burst as it left his hands, but his brave and prompt action saved the Magazine and the lives of all near him. At Inkerman, at the Sandbag Battery, the Grenadiers were hard pressed while defending the Colours. This officer was conspicuous for his assistance on this occasion, and specially noticed by H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge, the Lieut. -General commanding the Division. At the Redan, on June 18th 1855, he volunteered for the ladder party, carrying the first one himself, till he was struck down. He took part in the relief of Lucknow in November 1857, and at the siege and capture in March 1858, dying of smallpox at Cawnpore, on his way to Calcutta on April 27th 1858. Third son of the Right Hon. Sir Robert Peel Bart, the distinguished Statesman, Sir William was born on November 2nd 1824, and passed away as above stated in his thirty third year. THOMAS GRADY (Private, afterwards Sergeant) 4th
King’s (Royal Lancaster) Regiment This brave Irishman, on October 18th 1854, volunteered to repair the embrasures of the battery on the Left Attack, assisted by another whose name has not been handed down. This act was accomplished successfully in clear daylight, under a heavy fire from a whole line of batteries. Again, on November 22nd, during the repulse of an attack on the most advanced trenches, although severely wounded he refused to quit his post among his comrades, but kept encouraging them to “hold on,” and was the means of saving the position and preventing the guns from being spiked. Sergeant Grady died some years ago in Victoria, New South Wales. WILLIAM McWHEENEY (Sergeant) 44th
(Essex) Regiment Decorated for his conduct on October 20th 1854, when he saved the life private John Keane who had been dangerously wounded when the Sharpshooters were forced to retreat from the “Quarries.” He took Keane on his back and carried him for a long distance under heavy rifle fire until he could place him in safety. On December 5th 1854. Corporal Courtney, a sharpshooter, was severely in the head. McWheeney went out into the open and, under a terrific storm of lead, brought him some distance back. He then, with his bayonet, dug up the ground to form a slight cover for him, as they were by no means out of range and the fire was still very severe, and remained with him until darkness had set in, when he was able to retire with him into safety. On June 18th 1855, he volunteered for the advance guard of General Eyre’s Brigade in the Cemetery. The Gazette states that he was “always vigilant and active,” and that he was “ never absent from duty during the war.” JOHN GRIEVE (Sergeant Major) 2nd
Dragoons At Balaklava October 25th 1854, in the heavy Cavalry charge one of Grieve’s officers being surrounded by Russian horsemen, he rode to his rescuer, cut off the head of one of them, disabled two others, and put them to flight, thereby saving the life of his officer. HENRY RAMAGE (Private, afterwards Sergeant) 2nd
Dragoons At the battle of Balaklava, Private McPherson of the 2nd Dragoons was severely wounded and surrounded by seven Russians. Private Ramage rode to his help, cut his way through the enemy and saved his comrade’s life. On the same day, when the Heavy Brigade was covering the retreat of the Light Cavalry, Private Gardiner’s leg was shattered by a round shot and he lay on the ground exposed to a very heavy cross fire. Ramage dashed to his rescue and carried him to the rear, the place where he had fallen being almost immediately covered by Russian Cavalry. He also, when the Heavy Brigade was rallying and the enemy retiring dismounted and brought in a prisoner from the Russian ranks. Ramage died at Newbridge, Ireland, not long after receiving his decoration, which was sold in London on June 16th 1903 for £61. JAMES MOUAT (Surgeon, afterwards Surgeon-General, K.C.B.) 6th
(The Inniskilling) Dragoons After the retreat of the Light Cavalry at the battle of Balaklava, on October 26th 1854, Lieut. -Colonel Morris C.B., 17th Lancers, was dangerously wounded and lying in a very exposed place. Surgeon Mouat went to his assistance and, in full view of the enemy, under a most severe fire, dressed his injuries, and by stopping a serious haemorrhage was able to save his life. Surgeon-General Sir James Mouat, son of the late J. Mouat, M.D., was born in 1815, and died in London on January 4th 1899. Educated at University College and hospital, London in 1837 admitted a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, being elected to the Fellowship in 1852. Entered the Army in 1838, serving during the Crimean War, at Balaklava, Inkerman and Tchermaya. Afterwards was principal Medial Officer in New Zealand 1863-5, receiving the thanks of that Government for his special and valuable services during the war. Appointed Honorary Surgeon to Queen Victoria 1888, and created a Military K.C.B. in 1894. Knight of the Legion of Honour. JOHN BERRYMAN (Troop-Sergeant-Major, afterwards Major) 17th
(The Duke of Cambridge’s Own) Lancers Sergeant-Major Berryman was once of the many heroes who fought right through the Crimean War. He was “mentioned” for Alma, Balaklava, Inkerman, and Mackenzie’s Farm, and at the last place captured three Russian soldiers close up to their own guns. At Balaklava his horse was shot under him in the charge, yet he remained with a wounded and dying officer (Captain Webb), whom he carried out of immediate range of the cannon. For his bravery at Inkerman, on February 24th 1857, he was specially mentioned in the London Gazette. Born on July 28th 1825, he died on June 27th 1896. ALEXANDER ROBERT DUNN (Lieutenant, afterwards Lieut. -Colonel) 11th
Hussars On October 25th 1854 during the charge of the Light Cavalry at Balaklava, Lieutenant Dunn saved the life of Private Bentley by riding at, and cutting down, some Russians who were attacking him from the rear. Later on he saw Private Levett hard pressed by a Russian Hussar, and rode to his assistance, cutting down his assailant. In 1858 Lieut.–Colonel Dunn raised and commanded the 100th Royal Canadian Regiment, now 1st Batt. Leinster. He served in the Abyssinian War of 1868 as Lieut. –Colonel of the 33rd Regiment, and lost his life during one of the hard fought actions of that year. JOHN FARRELL (Quartermaster-Sergeant) 17th
Lancers On October 25th 1854 after the charges at the battle of Balaklava, when Farrell’s horse was shot from under him, Captain Webb was severely wounded. Farrell and Berryman (V.C.) carried the officer as far as the pain of his wounds would allow, and, when a stretcher was obtained, he assisted Berryman and a Private of the 13th Dragoons (Malcone V.C.) to carry him from the field. Farrell died at Secunderabad, India on August 4th 1865. JOSEPH MALONE (Sergeant, afterwards Riding Master) 13th
Hussars On October 25th 1854, while returning on foot from the charge at Balaklava, in which his horse had been shot, Malone stayed, under a severe fire, to take charge of Captain Webb, 17th Lancers (who had been mortally wounded), until others arrived to assist in removing him. SAMUEL PARKES (Private) 4th
(Light) Dragoons During the charge of the Light Cavalry at Balaklava, October 25th 1854, Parkes horse had been shot and he was dismounted, while that of Trumpet-Major Crawford had also fallen and its rider had lost his sword. Parkes dashed up to him, placed himself between him and two Cossacks and drove them off. When attempting to follow the retreat of the Light Cavalry, six Russians attacked them, but he kept them at bay, retiring slowly, until, after defending his friend for some time, his sword was shattered by a shot. CHARLES WOODEN (Sergeant-Major, afterwards Quarter-Master 104th Bengal Fusiliers) 17th
Lancers On October 26th 1854, after the battle of Balaklava, Sergeant-Major Wooden went to the assistance of Lieut. –Colonel Morris, C.B., and rescued him when lying exposed to a very heavy fire thereby saving his life. GERALD L;ITTLEHALES GOODLAKE (Captain, afterwards Lieut. –General) 1st Batt. Coldstream Guards Knight Of The
Legion Of Honour On the occasion of “the powerful sortie” made chiefly against the second Division on October 26th 1854, Major Goodlake was in command of the Sharpshooters of his battalion in the “Windmill Ravine” well in advance of the picket-house erected there. This he held against a large force, his men placing hors-de-combat no fewer than thirty-eight of the enemy and taking three prisoners. The Major during this combat was the only officer present, and most of his men were very young soldiers, the successors of their more matured comrades who fell at Alma and during the siege. In November following in the same place, when commanding almost the same men, he surprised a picket, the following extract from Kinglake’s Crimea gives an illustration of the invaluable work done by Captain Goodlake ad his Sharpshooters during the war- MAJOR GOODLAKE V.C. From Kinglake’s
“Crimea” To assure himself against any ambush, Captain Goodlake (taking with him Sergeant Ashton) had gone up to examine the caves, leaving the rest of his sixty men halted across the bed of the chasm and partly, too, on each bank. Whilst thus left for a moment without their commander, the sight of the Russian Column thronging up round the corner below suddenly confronted Goodlake’s men. The hostile force seemed like a mob, numbering about six or eight hundred men, and was pressing forward along the bed of the ravine and also along each of its banks. Goodlake’s people retreated firing. Goodlake himself, with Sergeant Ashton at his side, was still by the caves. Hemmed in by assailants and debarred by the craggy and difficult ground from any possibility of effectual retreat, he thought that he and the sergeant must submit to be made prisoners. Sergeant Ashton, however, suggested that if the captain and he were made prisoners they would be assuredly put to death, in vengeance for one of their recent exploits (referring to the fact that this little force under Goodlake had lately attacked a Russian picket, taking an officer and some of the men prisoners), and all notion of surrender being thereupon discarded, the alternatives of course was resistance. The Russians, whilst closing in upon their two adversaries, fired at them numbers of shots, which all, however, proved harmless. On the other hand Goodlake and the sergeant fired, each of them once, into the nearest clump of Russians, and then with the butt-ends of their rifles, knocked away the foremost of their assailants, and ran down to the foot of the bank. There, however, they were in the midst of a mob of Russians advancing up the ravine. To their great surprise, no one seized them; and it was evident that, owing to the grey cloaks and plain caps they both wore, the enemy mistaking them for his own fellow countrymen. Shielded by the illusion, and favoured, too, by the ruggedness of the ground and obstructive thickets of brushwood, which enabled them to be constantly changing their neighbours without exciting attention, they moved on unmolested in the midst of their foes; and, though strange, it is not the less true that this singular arch was continued along as distance of more than a half a mile. At length, with its two interlopers, the Russian throng came to a halt, and not without a reason, for it was confronted by the sixty men of the Guards, who, after the lengthened retreat they had made when their Chief was cut off from them, were now plainly making a stand and had posted themselves some thirty yards off, behind a little trench, which there seemed the bed of the gorge. Goodlake, with his trusty sergeant, soon crossed the intervening space, which divided the Russians from the English and found himself once more amongst his own people. Lieut. –General Goodlake, son of T. Goodlake, Esq., of Wadley, Berks was born on May 14th 1832. Entered the Royal Welsh Fusiliers 1848 exchanging into the Coldstream Guards in 1850; became Major in the Army, June 6th 1856; A.D.C. to Queen Victoria 1869; Major-General to the Land forces 1879; Lieut-General 1881; and died in 1890. JOHN AUGUSTUS CONOLLY (Lieutenant, afterwards Lieut. –Colonel) 49th (The Princess Charlotte of Wales) Regiment (Royal Berkshire) On the attack by the Russians outside Sebastopol during the “great sortie,” on October 26th 1854 (the day Balaklava), Lieutenant Conolly was in command of his company on outlying picket. The Russians hurled themselves on the Second Division. They were met, in the first instance, by the 49th, resolutely led by Conolly in frequent short, sharp charges, he himself engaging several of them in hand-to-hand fight, one after another, till at length, from loss of blood, he fell insensible, and had to be borne off the field. His gallant behaviour, no less than that of his men, elicited a General Order, in which all were deservedly praised. Soon afterwards he was promoted Captain into the Coldstream Guards as part reward for his bravery and devotion. Died at the Curragh of Kildare, Ireland in 1888. WILLIAM NATHAN WRIGHTE HEWETT (Lieutenant, afterwards Vice-Admiral, K.C.B., K.C.S.I.) Naval Brigade Knight of The
Legion of Honour At the great sortie from Sebastopol, on October 26th 1854, Lieutenant William Hewett was in charge of a battery. The Russians were swarming towards his post when the word was passed-by whom it was never ascertained-“Spike the guns and retire.” Hewett replied that “such an order did not come from Captain Lushington, and he would not do it till it did.” He then pulled down the parapet and assisted by a few soldier, swung the gun round towards the advancing thousands, into which he poured so steady a fire that the advance was checked, and the battery saved. For his pluck at Inkerman on November 5th, he was specially “named” in despatches. Sir William Hewett died at Portsmouth on May 13th 1888, aged 54. Son of William Hewett Esq, he was born at Brighton in 1834. Entered the Royal navy at the age of thirteen; became Captain in 1862; Rear Admiral 1878. Served in China in Burmah; also in Ashantee, including the capture of Coomassie; Egypt, 1882; and the Eastern Soudan 1884. JAMES OWENS (Corporal) 49th
Regiment Decorated for his bravery on October 30th 1854, in personal encounter with the Russians and for nobly assisting Major Conolly of the Coldstream Guards. He died on August 30th 1901, and his Victoria Cross was sold in London on October 15th 1902. WILLIAM STANLACK (Private) 1st
Battalion Coldstream Guards Decorated for his courage in volunteering, when engaged as a Sharpshooter in October 1854, to crawl up to within six yards of a Russian sentry, in order to enable his officer (Major Goodlake, V.C.) to effect a surprise. The danger he ran was fully explained to Private Stanlock, but it did not deter him from under taking the perilous adventure. THOMAS BEACH (Private) 55th
Regiment On November 5th 1854, at the battle of Inkerman, Lieut. –Colonel Carpenter of the 41st Regiment was lying wounded and several of the enemy were robbing him. Beach was on picket at the time. Seeing what the Russians were about, he attacked and killed two of them, protecting the officer from further molestation until the arrival of some men of the 41st Regiment. JOHN BYRNE (Private) 68th
Regiment At the battle of Inkerman, November 5th 1854, the 68th were ordered to retire but Byrne returned towards the enemy and brought back a wounded soldier who would otherwise have fallen into their hands. On May 11th, following he engaged in a hand-to-hand fight with a Russian on the parapet of the work he was defending. He killed his opponent and took away his arms.
HENRY HUGH CLIFFORD (Lieutenant, afterwards Major General, K.C.M.G.) Rifle Brigade On November 5th 1854 at the battle of Inkerman, Lieutenant Clifford was conspicuous by his bravery in leading a charge against the Russian lines. He cut off the head of one man and the arm of another, and by his determined assault, and the splendid following of his men, drove the Russians back. During the contest he saved the life of a soldier who had been wounded. Son of the 7th Lord Clifford of Chudleigh, he was born in Shropshire, on September 12th 1828, and died at Ugbrooke park, Chudleigh, in Devonshire on April 12th 1883 EDWARD ST. JOHN DANIEL (Midshipman) Royal Navy Recommended by Sir Stephan Lushington for conspicuous bravery on November 5th 1854, when a call for volunteers was made to bring up powder from a wagon which had been left in a most exposed position owing to the horses being all killed. Captain Peel (V.C.), who was in command of the battery at the time, specially reported the bravery of this young naval officer. He also accompanied Captain Pel as A.D.C. at the battle of Inkerman, and, at the attack on the Redan on June 18th 1855, when his officer was wounded, displayed the greatest devotion to him, placing a tourniquet on his arm under a terrific fire. Daniel left the Navy in 1861, and his Bronze Cross found its way into the United Service Institute, Whitehall, where it now remains. JAMES H. GORMAN (Seaman) Royal Navy Sir S. Lushington, in a letter of June 7th 1856, mentions Gorman, Reeves and Scholefield, three seamen, for their bravery on November 5th 1854. At the battle of Inkerman the Right Lancaster Battery was attacked, and these men were survivors of five who mounted a banquette and, making use of the rifles of disabled soldiers, loaded for them by their friends below, kept up a sharp fire under a hail of lead from the Russians. Gorman died on December 27th 1889. ANDREW HENRY (Sergeant Major, afterwards Captain, Land Transport Corps) Royal Artillery A the battle of Inkerman on November 5th 1854, sergeant-Major Henry displayed great bravery in defending the guns of his battery against overwhelming numbers of the enemy, during which he was terribly wounded. His undaunted courage is thus referred to in Kinglake’s Crimea- “When the foremost of the enemy’s troops had so closely surrounded Henry’s guns as to be already but a few paces off, they charged in with loud shouts, undertaking to bayonet the gunners; but by Henry himself, and one at least of his people, they were encountered with desperate valour. Henry called upon the men to defend the gun. He and a valiant gunner named James Taylor drew their swords and stood firm. The throng of the Russians came closing in, very many of them for some reason bareheaded, and numbers of them, in the words of a victim, ‘howling like mad dogs.’ Henry with his left wrested a bayonet from one of the Russians and found means to throw the man down, fighting hard all the time with his sword arm against some of his other assailants. Soon both Henry and Taylor were closed in upon from all sides and bayoneted again and again, Taylor then receiving his death wounds. Henry received in his chest the up-thrust of a bayonet, delivered with such power as to lift him almost from the ground, and at the same time he was stabbed in the back and stabbed in the arms. Then, from loss of blood, he became unconscious, but the raging soldiery, inflamed by religion, did not cease from stabbing his heretic body. He received twelve wounds, yet survived.” Andrew Henry “rose from the ranks” to Lieutenant in the Artillery, May 15th 1855. Becoming Captain six months later. Possessed four clasps for the Crimea in addition to the Sultan’s medal. JOHN McDERMOND (Private) 47th
Regiment At Inkerman, November 5th 1854, this soldier saved the life of colonel Hely, who was lying wounded and surrounded by a number of Russians. McDermond rushed to his rescue and killed the soldier who had disabled him. AMBROSE MADDEN (Sergeant Major) 41st
Regiment During the battle of Inkerman, Madden led a party of his battalion and captured a Russian officer and fourteen soldiers, three of whom he personally accounted for. FREDERICK MILLER (Major, afterwards Lieut. –Colonel) Royal Artillery Knight of The
Legion of Honour At Inkerman, November 5th 1854, the Russians had surrounded a battery, driving part of one of our infantry Regiments through it. Major Miller, however, afterwards personally attacked three Russians, and led his men in charging the occupants of the battery, successfully preventing them from doing any damage to the guns. Entered the Royal Artillery in December 1848, and became Captain in April 1855. ANTHONY PALMER (Private, afterwards Captain 3rd Essex R.V.) 3rd
Battalion Grenadier Guards Decorated for his bravery at Inkerman on November 5th 1854, when he followed Sir Charles Russell, V.C., into the Sandbag Battery. Was also present when the charge was made in defence of the Colours. It is stated that Private Palmer saved the life of Sir Charles Russell by killing the Russian who was about to bayonet him. His Victoria Cross is now in the United Service Institute, London. THE HONOURABLE HENRY HUGH MANVERS PERCY (Colonel, afterwards Lord Percy) Grenadier Guards On November 5th 1854 at the battle of Inkerman, Colonel Percy charged alone far ahead of his men into the Sandbag Battery, which was at the time strongly held by the enemy, who kept up a heavy fire of musketry. On the same day hr found himself, with many soldiers of various regiments who had charged too far, almost surrounded by the Russian. Without ammunition and exposed to severe fire from the enemy, their position was most precarious, but Colonel Percy, by his knowledge of the ground and skilful leading, brought the men to where fresh ammunition could be obtained, and they were able to continue the fight. H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge signified his approbation of his gallant conduct on the spot. JOHN PRETTYJOHN (Corporal, afterwards Colour-Sergeant) Royal Marine Light
Infantry At the battle of Inkerman, Corporal Prettyjohn greatly distinguished himself by his cool courage, in going on ahead of the men and opening fire upon the enemy, killing four of them and so checking their advance. He died on January 20th 1887. THOMAS REEVES (Seaman) Royal Navy Associated on November 5th 1854. At Inkerman in a heroic act described in the record of Gorman. HUGH ROWLANDS (Brevet Major, Now General, K.C.B, C.B.) 41st
Regiment Decorated for gallant conduct on November 5th 1854, in saving the life of Colonel Hely of the 47th Regiment, who was wounded and surrounded by Russian soldiers. Also at Inkerman, at the commencement of the great battle, his bravery was most conspicuous. By his exertions and courageous leading, the advanced picket held the ground they had occupied, against the attack of the enemy. Born in 1829, Sir Hugh Rowlands entered the army in 1849. For his services in the Crimean War, besides the decoration of the Victoria Cross, he received his Brevet-Majority, 5th Class Medjidie, and Turkish Medal, and was created Knight of the Legion of Honour. Served in the Kaffir and Zulu Wars, 1877-9, being mentioned in despatches; from 1884-9 was in command of a 1st class district in India, and from 1893-6 commanded the Scottish District. SIR CHARLES RUSSEL, BART (Brevet-Major, afterwards Lieut. –Colonel) Grenadier Guards On November 5th 1854, at the battle of Inkerman, Sir Charles Russell offered to dislodge a party of Russians from the Sandbag Battery if any one would follow him. His call was quickly answered, Sergeant Norman V.C., Privates Anthony Palmer, V.C., and Bailey being the first. Bailey was killed, but under the courageous leadership of Sir Charles Russell the attack proved a complete success, the enemy being driven from their position. MARK SCHOLEFIELD (Seaman) Royal Navy At the battle of Inkerman, November 5th 1854, Scholefield was associated with Gorman (V.C.) and Reeves (V.C.) in a heroic act described in the record of Gorman. MARK WALKER (Lieutenant and Adjutant, afterwards General, K.C.B.) 30th (Cambridgeshire)
Regiment Lieutenant Walker was awarded the Victoria Cross for a particularly courageous action at the battle of Inkerman on November 5th 1854. When the pickets gave the alarm, the 30th Regiment advanced in two battalions, the right under Colonel Mauleverer, and the left under Colonel Petullo. Lieutenant Walker was with the former battalion, which moved towards a low wall and lay down. Suddenly from out the thick fog, which had been hanging over the ground since daylight, two heavy columns of Russian Infantry appeared close upon them, and the 30th were ordered to open fire. In those days it was the custom to pile arms at night before the men’s tents, and the stoppers of the Rifles had been lost, causing the arms to become wet and useless. With the Russians coming closer and closer, the position became most critical, and under such disadvantages, there was a possibility of the men becoming nervous and out-of-hand. It was at this moment that Lieutenant Walker grasped the situation. He sprang up on the low wall, and calling on his men to follow him with the bayonet, led them straight at the Russian ranks. The suddenness of the appearance and attack of our men, and the fact that they could not see how small our party really was, caused a panic among the enemy, who, in spite of the exhortations of their officers, turned and bolted, followed some distance by the intrepid little party. The success of this affair was almost entirely due to the cool and courageous conduct of Lieutenant Walker, who, by his splendid example under sudden adverse circumstances, gave encouragement to his men, and turned what might have proved a serious reverse into a brilliant episode of the battle. Soon afterwards, Lieutenant Walker volunteered and led a party, which destroyed a Russian rifle pit, and for his conduct on this occasion was promoted, into the Buffs. General Sir Mark Walker, son of Captain Alexander Walker, of Gore Port, county Westmeath, a distinguished peninsular officer, was born on November 24th 1827. Educated at Portarlington, he entered the army in 1846 and served as Adjutant of the 30th Regiment all through the Crimean War. At the battle of Alma his horse was shot under him and he was wounded. While serving in the trenches he was again wounded, this time so seriously as to necessitate amputation of the right arm. Frequently mentioned in despatches. Served through the China War of 1860 as Brigade Major. Commanded a Brigade at Kamptu 1875-9; at Aldershot 1883-4; and Gibraltar 1884-8. Colonel of the Sherwood Foresters from 1900, he died at Arlington Rectory, Barnstaple, on July 18th 1902, and is buried at Folkestone where he had lived for many years. GEORGE WALTERS (Sergeant) 49th
Regiment On November 5th 1854, at the battle of Inkerman, Brigadier-General Adams, C.B., was surrounded by Russians and in a perilous position. Walters went to the officer’s rescue and saved his life by bayoneting one of his assailants. F. WHEATLEY On November 10th 1854, before Sebastopol, this soldier performed the plucky act of throwing over the parapet a live shell which had fallen into the trenches. CLAUDE THOMAS BOURCHIER (Lieutenant, afterwards Colonel) 1st Battalion (The Prince Consort’s Own) Rifle Brigade Knight of the
Legion of Honour Lieutenant Bourchier was among those who captured and held the Russian rifle pits on November 20th 1854. These places were appropriately called by the besiegers “ovens,” or “wasps’ nests,” and from the Russian riflemen killed many of our men every night. To put an end to this, Major Bourchier determined that they should be captured and destroyed. In doing this he so highly distinguished himself that his name and his acts of bravery were promulgated in French General Orders. On the fall of Lieutenant Tryon he succeeded to the command of the two hundred men of his regiment engaged in effecting this important capture. WILLIAM JAMES MONTGOMERY CUNINGHAME (Captain, afterwards Colonel Sir William, Bart) 1st
Battalion (Prince Consort’s Own) Rifle Brigade On November 20th 1854, during the capture of the Russian rifle pits, Captain Cunninhame displayed great bravery. The fight was a most severe one, and his conduct was particularly distinguished. The affair attracted the attention of the French General, who recorded it in General Orders. Sir William Cunninghame, Bart., born in 1834, was present at the actions of Alma, Balaklava, Inkerman and Sebastopol. WILBRAHAM OATES LENNOX (Lieutenant, afterwards Lieut. –General, K.C.B.) Royal Engineers On November 20th 1854, during the siege of Sebastopol, it became necessary to establish a lodgement in some dangerous rifle pits, overhanging the Woronzoff Road. Lieutenant Lennox was conspicuous, among many others, by his “cool and gallant conduct” in repelling the numerous and persistent assaults of the enemy. This brilliant operation drew forth the compliment of a special order from Marechal Canrobert, of the French Army, at whose request the Rifle Brigade was selected to make the capture. Sir Wilbraham Lennox, son of the late Colonel Lord J. G. Lennox, was born in 1830, and served through the Indian Mutiny; with the German Army in the Franco-Prussian War, 1870; and with the Turkish Army during the Russo-Turkish War 1877. Brigadier-General in Egypt 1884-7, and in command of the Forces at Ceylon 1887-8, Director-General of Military Education 1893-4. WILLIAM NORMAN (Private) 7th
Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) On the night of December 19th 1854, when placed on a single sentry duty a considerable distance in advance of the others in the White Horse Ravine (a task requiring much courage and vigilance, as the enemy’s picket was only 300 yards distant), three Russians crept up under cover of brushwood to reconnoitre our position. Without any noise, lest he should give the alarm, Private Norman went stealthily towards them, and single-handed, captured two of them. WILLIAM JAMES LENDRIM (Corporal, afterwards Quartermaster-Sergeant) Royal Engineers The Victoria Cross was awarded to this non-commissioned officer for intrepid conduct on April 11th 1855, before Sebastopol, in getting on to a parapet under a hail of lead and extinguishing a fire, which had broken out among the sandbags. He was practically prominent in setting a fine example of courage to a party of one hundred and fifty French Chasseurs, whom he was superintending, on February 14th 1855, during the building of No. 9 Battery, Left Attack and replacing all the capsized gabions under heavy fire. (Awarded French War Medal.) On April 20th he was one of the four volunteers to destroy the farthest Russian rifle pit. He died in October 1892 at Camberley, where he had long held the post of Quartermaster-Sergeant to the Staff College. GEORGE GARDINER (Colour-Sergeant) 57th
West Middlesex (Duke of Cambridge’s Own) Regiment On March 22nd 1855, Sergeant Gardiner was orderly-sergeant to the field officers on trench duty. The Russian attack was sudden, and there was a momentary retirement out of the trenches. Gardiern hastened to the threatened point, rallied the men, led them against the enemy and regained the position at the point of the bayonet. On June 18th, his courage and devotion to duty was marvellous. He remained in front of the enemy, encouraging others to do the same, taking shelter in the holes made by the exploded shells, and making a parapet of the dead bodies of his comrades! From this gruesome entrenchment they kept yup a steady fire until their ammunition was exhausted. This was done, according to the official account, under a fire by which nearly half the officers and one-third of the rank and file of the party of the Regiment were placed hors-de-combat. ALEXANDER WRIGHT (Private) 77th
Regiment Decorated for special bravery during the whole Crimean War. Greatly distinguished himself on the night of March 22nd 1855, in repelling a sortie and at the taking of the rifle pits on the night of April 19th 1855, being specially noticed on that occasion for the fine example he gave the men while holding the position under a terrible fire. Displayed great bravery also on August 30th 1855, when he was wounded. WILLIAM COFFEY (Private) 34th
Regiment Decorated for his bravery on March 29th 1855, when he threw a lighted shell, which had fallen into the trench over the parapet. JOHN SULLIVAN (Boatswain’s Mate) Royal Navy Knight of the
Legion of Honour Sir S. Lushington recommended Sullivan for the Victoria Cross for an act of great bravery on April 10th 1855. A concealed Russian Battery was doing great execution on one of our advanced works, and, in order to enable our No. 5 Battery to open fire on it, Sullivan deliberately placed a flag on a mound in a most exposed position under a terrific fire. Commander Kennedy reported that Sullivan’s gallantry was always conspicuous.
SAMUEL EVANS (Private) 19th (1st
Yorkshire) (Alexandra, Princess of Wale’s Own) Regiment Samuel Evans volunteered, on April 13th 1855, to enter an embrasure in order to repair the damage done by a concentrated fire on one of our batteries before Sebastopol. Our gunners were nearly all killed, and while others wee being brought up to take their place, Evans and Callaghan entered the battery, and, leaping into the embrasure under a heavy fire, undauntedly preserved until the breach was mended. Callaghan fell during the war. Evans was one of the sixty-two who received the Cross-from Her Majesty the Queen on June 26th 1857. Originally a 26th Cameronian, which he joined in 1839, serving it in China in 1842, gaining his first Medal, followed by the Crimean with three clasps, the French and Turkish. He died at Edinburgh in his eighteenth year in October 1901. MATTHEW CHARLES DIXON (Captain, now Major General, retired) Royal Artillery Knight of the
Legion of Honour Colonel Dixon was in command of a battery before Sebastopol, on April 17th 1855. On the afternoon of that date, during a terrible cannonade, a shell fom the enemy blew up his magazines, destroyed the parapet, killed and wounded ten men, dismounted or otherwise disabled five guns, and covered a sixth with earth. One solitary gun remained. With this he encouraged and helped his few remaining men to open fire on the enemy, keeping it in action, working as a gunner himself, until the sun went down, and being all the time (some seven hours) exposed to the concentrated fire of the enemy’s line of batteries. Major-General Dixon, son of General Matthew Dixon, R.E., was born at Avranches in Brittany in 1821. Educated R.M.A., Woolwich. Joined the R.A. on March 19th 1839; became Captain 1848; Major 1855; colonel 1860, and Major General 1869. HENRY McDONALD (Colour-Sergeant, afterwards Captain) Royal Engineers Decorated for conspicuous bravery on April 19th 1855, when engaged in effecting a lodgement in the enemy’s rifle pits, in front of the left advance of the right attack on Sebastopol. Later on in the day, the Engineer officers being wounded and the command developing on him, he persisted on the Sap, in spite of the repeated attacks of the enemy. He died in Glasgow on February 15th 1893, aged 70 JOSEPH BRADSHAW (Private) 2nd
Battalion Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort’s Own) Among some almost impregnable rocks overhanging the Woronzoff Road the Russians had constructed rifle pits, and from these a harassing fire was kept up day and night upon our men. As this was becoming unbearable and greatly interfered with some works we were engaged upon, Bradshaw, on April 22nd 1855 (accompanied by Robert Humpston) attacked and captured one of the pits in broad daylight, holding it until support arrived, when the rest of these “wasp’s nests”-as they were called-were destroyed. For his gallant exploit he received a gratuity of £5 and was promoted on the spot. ROBERT HUMPSTON (Private) 2nd
Battalion Rifle Brigade A new battery was being erected by our men on the extreme right front of the 2nd Parallel Left Attack and every night the work was greatly impeded by the fire from some Russians in a rifle pit, situated among the rocks overhanging the Woronzoff Road, between the 3rd Parrallel Right Attack and “the Quarries.” On April 22nd 1855, in broad daylight Robert Humpston and Joseph Bradshaw stormed and took it, and on further support being obtained, they eventually destroyed it. Both men received a gratuity of £5 and were promoted, in addition to being awarded the Victoria Cross. R. McGREGOR (Private) 2nd
Battalion Rifle Brigade Decorated for his conspicuous bravery when employed as a Sharpshooter in July 1855. Two Russians occupying a rifle pit went were most annoying by their continuous fire, and McGregor crossed the open space under a hail of bullets, took shelter under a rock and dislodged them, occupying the position himself. THOMAS DE COURCY HAMILTON (Captain, Afterwards Major-General) 68th Durham Light Infantry Knight of the
Legion of Honour On the night of May 11th 1855, the Russian made a most determined sortie from Sebastopol, but Captain Hamilton led a few men from a battery of which he held possession and boldly charged the enemy. His gallantry and daring conduct on this occasion was most conspicuous, and by his courageous initiative the works were saved from falling into the enemy’s hands. Major-General Hamilton, son of the late James John Hamilton, Esq., Ballymacoll, Co. Meath, was born at Stranraer, Wigtonshire, and July 20th 1825. Educated privately. Joined the 90th Light Infantry, 1842, serving through the Kaffir War of 1846. Present with the 68th Light infantry at Alma, Balaklava, Inkerman and the siege and fall of Sebastopol, obtaining medal and four clasps and the Turkish medal. Retired 1874. CECIL WILLIAM BUCKLEY (Lieutenant, afterwards Captain) Royal Navy Knight of the
Legion of Honour On May 29th 1855, while serving as junior Lieutenant of the Miranda, Captain Buckley, accompanied by Lieutenant Burgoyne and Gunner John Robarts, landed and set fire to immense quantities of stores belonging to the Russians at Genitchi, in the Sea of Azoff. Captain Lysons, in his despatch, remarked that these stores were in a particularly favourable position for supplying the Russian Army, and that their destruction was of the utmost importance. This act was carried out in the presence of a very large force of the enemy and at imminent risk. On June 3rd, following, Captain Buckley, this time in company with Henry Cooper (V.C.), boatswain, performed a similar act of bravery at Taganrog, the dangers of this second desperate undertaking being equally as great as the first. His name appears first in the Gazette as being awarded the Victoria Cross, although Mr. Lucas performed the earliest act for which the decoration has been gained. The institution of the Victoria Cross was made retrospective to the commencement of the Crimean War. Captain Buckley died at Funchal, Madeira, on December 7th 1872. HUGH TALBOT BURGOYNE (Lieutenant, afterwards Captain) Royal Navy Hugh Talbot Burgoyne was Senior Lieutenant of the Swallow, in the Sea ofAzoff, in May 1855, and on the 29th of that month, with Lieutenant C. W. Buckley (V.C.) and Mr J. Robarts (V.C.), gunner, landed at Genitchi and destroyed, in spite of an over whelming force, vast quantities of Government stores and forage for use of the Russian Army in the Crimea. At Taganrog, on June 3rd, he performed a similar act of daring, in face of a still stronger force. Captain Burgoyne, fifteen years afterwards, when in command of H.M.S. Captain, went down with that vessel off Cape Finisterre during the night of September 6th 1870. Of the officers and crew, 490 men, only eighteen were saved. The names of the men drowned are to be found recorded on a brass tablet in St. Pal’s Cathedral. JOHN ROBARTS (Chief Gunner) Royal Navy Knight of the
Legion of Honour Mr J. Robarts on May 29 and June 3rd 1855 was one of the few who landed from the boats of the Miranda to destroy stores, forage and ammunition at Genitchi and Taganrog. Mr Robarts died October 17th 1888. HENRY COOPER (Boatswain) Royal Navy Knight of the
Legion of Honour Henry Cooper accompanied his commander, Lieutenant Buckley, R.N., in his gallant and desperate exploit at Taganrog, on the night of June 3rd 1855, when he landed in the face of a great force of Russians and fired the stores. Cooper survived his chief by twenty-one years, having died at Tor Point, Devon, on July 15th 1893.
GEORGE SYMONS (Lieutenant, 5th Battalion Military Train) (Late Sergeant
Royal Artillery) Decorated for the heroic act on June 6th 1855, of unmasking the embrasures of a five-gun battery. The Russians commenced a terrific fire on his opening the first embrasure, and increased, and increased its ferocity in proportion as each additional one was opened. He performed the uncovering of the last one by boldly mounting the parapet and throwing down the sandbags, but was badly wounded by a shell, which burst while he was performing his task. The Cross-awarded him for this brave act has found its way to the United Service Institute, London. MATTHEW HUGHES (Private) 7th
Regiment Colonel Campbell, 90th Light Infantry, specially noticed the gallant conduct of Hughes on June 7th 1855 as the storming of “the Quarries.” He twice went for ammunition across the open ground, also going to the front and bringing in Private John Hampton, who was lying wounded. On June 18th 1855, he volunteered to bring in Lieutenant Hobson of his regiment, who had been shot, and in performing this humane act was him severely wounded. THOMAS ARTHUR (Gunner and Driver) Royal Artillery On June 7th 1855, when in charge of the Magazine in one of the batteries, Arthur carried, of his own accord, barrels of powder and ammunition for the 7th Fusiliers several times across the open. On June 18th 1855 he volunteered for and formed one of the party who spiked the guns at the assault on the Redan. Arthur fought in the China War of 1860 and died at Savernake in March 1902, his Cross being sold in London on July 17th of that year for £47. HENRY MITCHEL JONES (Captain) 7th The
Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) On June 7th 1855, during the attack on the “Quarries” before Sebastopol, Captain Jones behaved with great coolness and daring in the face of overwhelming numbers. Repeatedly he led the men around hi to repel the continual assaults of the enemy during the night. Although suffering from severe wounds received earlier in the day, in order to encourage his men he remained unflinchingly all night long at his dangerous post, until after daylight next morning.
Retiring in 1857, Captain Jones ha occupied diplomatic positions in
Tabreez, Christiania, Philippopolis, Bangkok, Lima, and Quito. JOHN LYONS (Private) 19th
Regiment
Decorated for bravely taking up, on June 10th 1855, a live
shell which had fallen among the guard in the trenches and throwing it over the
parapet. THOMAS WILKINSON (Bombardier) Royal Marine Artillery Knight of the
Legion of Honour Thomas Wilkinson was specially recommended for his brave conduct on June 5th 1855. He was in the advanced batteries, and when the breast-work was much injured by the Russian Artillery, most courageously repaired it under a very galling fire.
He died at York on September 22nd 1877. JOSEPH PROSSER (Private) Decorated for two acts of bravery. On June 16th 1855, when on duty before Sebastopol, he pursued and caught, less than two heavy cross fires, a soldier deserting to the enemy. On August 11th 1855, when in the most advanced trench before Sebastopol, he left it and went to the assistance of a soldier of the 95th Regiment who had fallen badly wounded, and succeeded in carrying him into safety, all the time under a heavy fire. JOHN ALEXANDER (Private) 90th
Regiment On June 18th 1855, after the attack on the Redan, Alexander went out of the trenches and brought in several wounded under a heavy fire. He also on September 6th 1855, went out and assisted to bring in Captain Buckley, of the Scots Fusilier Guards, who was lying dangerously wounded in an exposed position. He never lived to receive the Cross-he so nobly earned, as he was killed in India on September 24th 1857, during the Mutiny. HENRY CURTIS (Boatswain’s Mate) Royal Navy The act of bravery and of humanity, which gained for this “blue-jacket”, the Victoria Cross, on June 18th 1855, is given in the Record of Admiral Henry Raby V.C. On that day, with J. Taylor, V.C. he assisted in rescuing a young soldier of the 57th in front of the Redan. The three sallied out of the shelter of the trench and brought in the wounded man, who had been shot through both legs. The distance they had to travel forward and back were about a hundred yards each way. Curtis died at Buckland, Portsmouth on November 23rd 1896. HOWARD CRAUFURD ELPHINSTONE (Lieutenant, afterwards Major General, K.C.B.) Royal Engineers Knight of the
Legion of Honour During the night of June 18th 1855, after an unsuccessful attack on the Redan, this brave officer collected together a party of volunteers of all corps and proceeded to bring back from under the enemy’s guns on the ramparts the scaling-ladders left behind during the assault, thereby saving them from falling into the hands of the Russians. No sooner had he finished his task than he again set forth, leading the same gallant men, to search for the wounded who were lying close up to the Redan, and whose cries for water could be heard in the distance from time to time. In this he was most successful, carrying in no less than twenty men himself. It is said to relate that Sir Howard Elphinstone was, on March 8th 1890, washed overboard and drowned when on a voyage to Madeira on R.M.S. Tongariro. Son of Captain Alexander Elphinstone, R.N., he was born at Riga, Northern Russia, on December 12th 1829. Educated abroad and at Woolwich, passing into the Royal Engineers in December 1847; became Captain 1856; Colonel 1864; Major General 1887; A.D.C. to H.M. Queen Victoria 1877-87. Commanded the Devonport district from 1889 until his death. THOMAS ESMONDE (Captain, afterwards Lieut. –Colonel) 18th
(The Royal Irish) Regiment On June 18th 1855, during the attack on the Redan, captain Esmonde several times displayed great gallantly in rescuing the wounded, all the time under a very heavy fire from the enemy. On June 20th, while in command of a covering-party, a fireball fell close to them, and, knowing that a heavy fire would greet any one exposing himself, he called to his men to stand and take shelter, and dashing out commenced to extinguish it. As he had anticipated, a terrific hail of shot and shell directed upon him, but in spite of all he succeeded in his courageous act and escaped unscathed. GERALD GRAHAM (Lieutenant, afterwards Lieut. –General, G.C.B., G.C.M.G.) Royal Engineers Knight of the
Legion of Honour Sir Gerald’s first recorded conspicuous act of bravery happened on June18th 1855. The Redan-in compliment to our brave allies, and in order to obliterate the memories of another June 18th, just forty years before-was to be attacked, with what result is well known. Lieutenant Graham-he was then only twenty-four- led a ladder party right up to the cannon’s mouth. Our columns were repulsed, and obliged tom retire, and it was then that Lieutenant Graham sallied forth, and with great dash rescued from death and misery many wounded officers and men. Sir Gerald Graham’s later campaigns have been those of China 1860; (Medjidie) Egypt 1882; Eastern Soudan 1884; and Suakin 1885. Retired 1890. Son of R.H. Graham, M.D., of Eden Brows, in Cumberland, he was born on June 27th 1831,and died in his seventy-ninth year at Bideford, Devon, on December 17th 1899. WILLIAM HOPE (Lieutenant) 7th The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regeiment) Later Lieut.
–Col. City of London A.V. On June 18th 1855, our troops were forced to retire after the attack on the Redan. Lieutenant Hope, being informed by Sergeant Major William Bacon that an officer, Lieutenant Hobson, had been severely wounded and was lying outside the trenches, started off to search for him, and found him in the old agricultural ditch running towards the left flank of the Redan. He then went for assistance, and four men returned with him, but he saw the officer could not be removed without a stretcher, so went back across the open ground to Egerton’s Pit. Having been able to secure what he needed, he again faced the rain of bullets, carrying the stretcher, and was finally able to convey Lieutenant Hobson to shelter. During the entire accomplishment of his humane action, the fire from the Russian batteries was heavy and continuous. Colonel Hope, born April 12th 1834, is the son of the late Rt. Hon. John Hope. Educated at Hatefield and Trinity Hall, Cambridge. Besides the heroic act related above he is stated to have saved the lives of thousands of men on November 15th 1855, by his personal exertions and heroic bravery in extinguishing the fire in the roof of a magazine containing 160 tons of powder. He is the inventor of the Shrapnel shell for rifled guns and many other improvements in was material. PETER LEITCH (Colour Sergeant) Royal Engineers On June 18th 1855, during the assault on the Redan, Leitch behaved with great bravery. On approaching it with the leading ladders, he fearlessly tore down the gabions from the parapet, filled them with earth and placed them to form a caponniere across the ditch. In 1854, at Bomarsund, he had been noticed for his conspicuous gallantly, and was awarded the Legion of Honour. JOHN PERIE (Sapper) Royal Engineers Decorated for bravery in leading the sailors with the ladders at the storming of the Redan on June 8th 1855, the Gazette stating that his services on that occasion were “invaluable.” He afterwards rescued a soldier who had been shot and was lying in the open, although having he been wounded by a bullet in the side just previously. HENRY JAMES RABY (Commander, Now Rear-Admiral, C.B.) Royal Navy The Victoria Cross was deservedly awarded to this distinguished officer for his humane and brave conduct on June 18th 1855, after the attack on the Redan. A young soldier if the 57th Regiment was lying shot through the legs and exposed to the fire of the Russian batteries. On being informed of this, Commander Raby crossed over the open ground, about one hundred yards, and under a terrific fire carried the wounded man to shelter. They had the assistance of Lieutenant Edward Hughes D’Aeth, of H.M.S. Sidon, but this officer never reaped the reward he undoubtedly merited, as he died of cholera on August 7th following, Taylor, although awarded the V.C., never lived to wear it, for the reason stated in the record under his name, and Curtis died in 1896, so Commander Raby is the only living representative of the heroic act described. Rear-Admiral Raby, son of Mr Arthur Turnour Raby, of Llanelly, Carmarthen, was born September 26th 1827. After being educated at Sherborne School, he entered the Navy in 1842 as 1st Class Volunteer H.M.S. Monarch. Served for eleven months with the Naval Brigade in the Crimea, being promoted Commander for his services. In command H.M.S. Medusa and Alecto, West coast of Africa and during the attack and destruction of Porto Novo; promoted to Captain for meritorious services in those parts, where he was engaged in combating the slave trade, in the suppression of which his name has been prominently associated. Served in command of H.M.S. Adventure in China 1868-71, retiring 1877, since when he was devoted his time to charitable objects connected with the men of that branch of the Service of which he has been so distinguished a member. JOHN J. SIMS (Private, afterwards Sergeant) 34th
Regiment Decorated for his bravery on June 18th 1855, when after the regiment had retired from the attack on the Redan, he went out into the open ground, under heavy fire, and brought in several wounded who had fallen outside the trenches. PHILIP SMITH (Corporal, afterwards Lance-Sergeant) 17th
Regiment Decorated for his bravery in continually going out under heavy fire, after the column had retired from the assault on the Great Redan, and bringing in wounded soldiers. JOHN TAYLOR (Captain of the Forecastle) Royal Navy On June 18th 1855 after the great attack on the Redan, a young soldier of the 57th regiment had been shot through the legs and was lying in a terribly exposed position calling out for help. On their attention being called to the danger he was in, Commander Raby (V.C.), John Taylor, and Henry Curtis (V.C.) climbed over the breastwork of the advanced sap, crossed the one hundred yards of open ground, under terrific fire, and brought him into shelter. Taylor was justly awarded the Victoria Cross, but he never lived to wear the well-earned decoration, for he died on February 24th 1857, the very day on which his name appeared in the Gazette. CHARLES McCOORIE (Private) 57th
Regiment Decorated for bravery on June 23rd 1855, when he threw a live shell, which had fallen the trenches, over the parapet. JOSEPPH TREWAVAS (Seaman) Royal Navy Knight of the
Legion of Honour On July 3rd 1855, in the straits of Genitchi, the shore being completely lined with the enemy’s troops and the adjacent houses filled with riflemen, Seaman Trewavas (one of the crew of H.M.S. Beagle) went forward under a heavy fire from only eighty yards distance and with great heroism cut the hawsers of the floating bridge. He was hit in the body at the moment of success, but the desired effect was accomplished and a means of conveying stores to the enemy completely destroyed. Lieut. Hewett, then only twenty-one (afterwards Admiral, V.C.), had given orders that the pontoon must be destroyed at all costs. The first attempt was at night, but was unsuccessful. On the return of the party to the ship, Hewett swore it should be done, if not by night, then by day. Under cover of a little paddle steamer with one gun, Trewavas started again n a four-oared boat. The “paddle steamer” fired one round and then the gun collapsed, remaining useless for the rest of the time. Rowing up to the “Pontoonm,” Trewavas leapt on to it and the hawswer, the Russians then realising what the little party of British sailors were doing, upon which they opened a terrific fire on them. “By coolness and pulling for dear life,” says Mr. Trewavas, “and by the Russians shocking aim we got back to the ship, the boat completely riddled up to the thwarts in water.” Born December 14th 1835, Joseph Trewavas joined the Navy, H.M.S. Agamemnon, in 1853. Was at the bombardment of Sebastopol, October 17th 1854, landing on the 23rd with the Naval Brigade. Took part from 1855, in all operations in the Sea of Azoff and was paid off May 22nd 1857. Has been awarded the medal for conspicuous gallantry. Was decorated with French Legion of Honour after Crimean War. Has now for many years followed the calling of a fisherman at Penzance, and at present, in spite of the wounds received from the Russians, is hale and hearty, but advance in years prevents him going to sea as often as before. GEORGE DARE DOWELL (Lieutenant, now Lieut. –Colonel) Royal Marine
Artillery An explosion took place on a rocket boat belonging to the Arrogant at the naval attack on the forts near Viborg on July 13th 1855. Lieutenant Dowell was at the time on board the Ruby. Springing into one of her boats, with three volunteers, he pulled to the assistance of the damaged boat’s crew, the Russians directing a heavy fire of grape and musketry upon them. In spite of this, Lieutenant Dowell rescued three men and took them on to the Ruby, and pulling back to the cutter, kept her afloat until she could be towed into safety. Lieutenant Dowell was born on February 15th 1831, at Chichester, and joined the Royal Marine Artillery on June 25th 1848; was promoted First Lieutenant October 6th 1851; Captain September 22nd 1859; Brevet-Major September 17th 1861; Brevet-Lieut. -Colonel April 23rd 1872. Took part in the action with the Russian batteries at Hangorhead, May 22nd 1854. During the Baltic Expedition 1855, was present at the actions of June 18th, 23rd and 30th, on which latter date thirty vessels were destroyed; at Lovisa July 5th, when the Government houses were burnt; and at the shelling of a Cossack encampment and destruction of their barracks on July 10th and 12th respectively. GEORGE INGOUEVILLE (Captain of the Mast) Royal Navy On July 13th 1855, the boats of H.M.S. Arrogant were engaged with the enemy’s gunboats and batteries off Viborg when the second cutter, being disabled by the blowing up of her magazine, commenced to drift under a battery. Despite a wound in the arm, and the terrific fire the boat was under, Ingoueville, without waiting for orders, leapt overboard, caught the cutter’s painter, and saved her. He died on January 13th 1869. JOHN SHEPPARD (Boatswain) Royal Navy Knight of the
Legion of Honour On July 15th 1855, while serving as Boatswain on the St. Jean d’ Acre, Mr Sheppard went in a punt with an exploding apparatus into the harbour of Sebastopol in order to try and blow up a Russian line-of-battle ship. This service, described by Lord Lyons as “a bold one and gallantly executed,” was twice attempted. On the first occasion he contrived to slip past the Russian steamboats at the entrance to Careening Bay, but was prevented from going further by a long string of boats, which were carrying troops from the south to the north side of Sebastopol. The second attempt was made on the following day, from the side of Careening Bay, occupied by the French. He died on December 17th 1884. JOHN ROSS (Corporal, afterwards Sergeant) Royal Engineers On July 21st 1855. Corporal Ross displayed great bravery on connecting the 4th Parallel Attack with an old Russian rifle pit in front. On August 23rd, when in charge of the advance from the 5th Parallel Right Attack on the Redan, he placed and filled twenty-five gabions under a most severe fire from the Russians. On the night of September 8th he crept alone right up to the Redan and found the enemy had evacuated it, upon which he reported to his officer and out troops took possession of it. FREDERICK COCKAYNE ELTON (Captain, afterwards Lieut. –Colonel) 55th (Westmoreland), 2nd Batt. The Border
Regiment On August 4th 1855, Major Elton was with a working party in the trenches, close up to the “Quarries.” The fire directed at them was terrible, making the work extremely dangerous, but taking a pick and shovel he boldly went into the open and began to work, stimulating by his fine example the men under his command. Son of the Rev. W. Tierney Elton, he became Ensign on January 19th 1849; Captain, November 1854; Brevet-Major 1855; followed by promotion to Brevet-Lieut. –Colonel, and Li |
