List of Irish Victoria Cross recipients explained

List of Irish Victoria Cross recipients lists all recipients of the Victoria Cross (post-nominal letters "VC") born on the island of Ireland, together with the date and place of their VC action. The Victoria Cross is the highest war honour of the British Empire and the Commonwealth of Nations. The whole island of Ireland was part of the United Kingdom until 1922 when it was partitioned into Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State. On 18 April 1949, the Dominion of Ireland became the Republic of Ireland and left the Commonwealth as a result of the Republic of Ireland Act 1948 coming into effect. Despite this, citizens of the Republic of Ireland still enlist in the British Army and thus are eligible for the Victoria Cross and other British honours.

Background

Established in 1856, the Victoria Cross has been awarded to service personnel for extraordinary valour and devotion to duty while facing a hostile force. Between 1858 and 1881 the Victoria Cross could also be awarded for actions taken "under circumstances of extreme danger" not in the face of the enemy.[1] Six people (four Irish, one English and one Canadian) were awarded Victoria Crosses under this clause (one in 1866 during the Fenian raids, five for a single incident in 1867 during the Andaman Islands Expedition), until it was amended in 1881 to only allow acts "in the presence of the enemy".[1] [2] It was awarded to members of the British Armed Forces which included Irish service personnel until 1922. It is currently available to personnel of any rank in any service, and to allies serving under or with British Forces. It is the highest honour in the Commonwealth honours system, placed before all other orders, decorations and medals.

Both Catholic and Protestant officers and servicemen born in Ireland served alongside each other in the British Military.[3] During the previous two centuries they had a common military background, and irrespective of class or creed many were decorated with the British highest award for valour. 30 Irish VCs were awarded in the Crimean War, 59 Irish VCs in the Indian Mutiny, 46 Irish VCs in numerous other British Empire campaigns between 1857 and 1914, 37 Irish VCs in World War I, and eight Irish VCs in World War II.

Recipients

NameDate of actionConflictUnitPlace of actionNotes
1879Second Afghan WarBritish Indian ArmyKilla Kazi, Afghanistan
1919Baltic Campaign 1918HM Coastal Motor Boat 4Kronstadt, Russia
1855Crimean War09090th Regiment of FootSevastopol, Crimea
1858Indian Rebellion of 18570022nd Queen's Dragoon GuardsSandila, India
1901*Second Boer WarRoyal Irish RegimentMonument Hill, South Africa
1867Andaman Islands Expedition02424th Regiment of FootLittle Andaman, India[4]
1854Crimean War02323rd Regiment of FootAlma, Crimea
1916*First World WarRoyal Inniskilling FusiliersThiepval, France
1879Anglo-Zulu War009Ulundi, South Africa
1868Abyssinian Expedition03333rd Regiment of FootMagdala, Abyssinia
1916First World WarJutland, Denmark
1857Indian Rebellion of 185708484th Regiment of FootLucknow, India
1915First World WarScots GuardsCambrin, France
Joseph Bradshaw1855Crimean WarRifle BrigadeWoronzoff Road, Crimea
1857Indian Rebellion of 185709090th Regiment of FootLucknow, India
1900Second Boer War01414th King's HussarsGeluk, South Africa
1857Indian Rebellion of 18570011st European Bengal FusiliersNarnaul, India
2006*War in Afghanistan001Parachute RegimentSangin, Afghanistan
1855Crimean WarSea of Azov, Crimea
1860Second Opium War06767th Regiment of FootTaku Forts, China
1858Indian Rebellion of 185708686th RegimentJhansi, India
1854Crimean War06868th Regiment of FootInkerman, Crimea
1898Mahdist War02121st LancersOmdurman, Sudan
1915First World War0022nd York and Lancaster RegimentLa Brique, France
1855Crimean WarRoyal ArtillerySevastopol, Crimea
1858Indian Rebellion of 185701313th Regiment of FootAzumgurh, India
1916*First World WarRoyal Irish FusiliersHamel, France
1902Somaliland CampaignKing's African RiflesErego, Somaliland
1855Crimean War03434th Regiment of FootSevastopol, Crimea
1879*Anglo-Zulu War02424th Regiment of FootIsandhlwana South Africa
1917First World WarCheshire RegimentYpres, Belgium
1855Crimean War0033rd Regiment of FootSevastopol, Crimea
1854Crimean War04949th Regiment of FootSevastopol, Crimea
1915First World WarRoyal Munster FusiliersGallipoli, Turkey
1897Siege of Malakand02222nd Punjab InfantryMalakand, India
1857Indian Rebellion of 1857Gordon HighlandersDelhi, India
1879Second Afghan WarBombay Staff CorpsKam Dakka, Afghanistan
1901Second Boer WarImperial Light HorseTygerkloof Spruit, South Africa
1918First World WarNew Zealand Expeditionary ForceCrèvecœur, France
1889Karenni ExpeditionBombay Medical ServiceLwekaw, Burma
1917*First World WarPrince of Wales's Leinster RegimentBois-en-Hache, France
1881First Boer WarNourse's Horse (Transvaal)Elandsfontein, South Africa
1914*First World WarRoyal FusiliersMons, Belgium
1857Indian Rebellion of 185701010th Regiment of FootLucknow, India
1857Indian Rebellion of 1857Bengal Horse ArtilleryBulandshahr, India
1918*First World WarRoyal Ulster RiflesGroagie, France
1857Indian Rebellion of 185706060th RiflesDelhi, India
1857Indian Rebellion of 18570099th Queen's Royal LancersBulandshahr, India
1881First Boer War0011st King's Dragoon GuardsLaing's Nek, South Africa
1857Indian Rebellion of 185703232nd Regiment of FootLucknow, India
1918First World WarRoyal Munster FusiliersReincourt, France
1917First World WarRoyal Inniskilling FusiliersKereina Peak, Palestine
1857Indian Rebellion of 1857102102nd Madras FusiliersLucknow, India
1857Indian Rebellion of 185709393rd Regiment of FootLucknow, India
1857Indian Rebellion of 185705353rd Regiment of FootChota Behar, India
1916First World WarMiddlesex RegimentThiepval, France
1917*First World WarRoyal Inniskilling FusiliersLa Vacquerie, France
1901Second Boer WarThe Scottish HorseVlakfontein, South Africa
1940Second World WarEast Lancashire RegimentDunkirk, France
1942*Second World War825825 Naval Air SquadronStraits of Dover
1855Crimean War01818th Regiment of FootSevastopol, Crimea
1854Crimean War01717th LancersBalaklava, Crimea
1940Second World WarAtlantic Ocean
1899Second Boer WarRoyal FusiliersMafeking, South Africa
1857Indian Rebellion of 1857Bengal Horse ArtilleryBulandshahr, India
1860Second Opium War06767th Regiment of FootTaku Forts, China
1879Basuto War09494th Regiment of FootSekukuni's Town, South Africa
1857Indian Rebellion of 185706464th Regiment of FootCawnpore, India
1857Indian Rebellion of 1857Bengal Veteran EstablishmentDelhi, India
1879Anglo-Zulu WarCameronians (Scottish Rifles)Zlobane Mountain, South Africa
1855Crimean War05757th Regiment of FootSebastopol, Crimea
1940*Second World WarNo. 12 Squadron RAFAlbert Canal, Belgium
1857Indian Rebellion of 185706060th RiflesDelhi, India
1857Indian Rebellion of 1857Loodiana RegimentBenares, India
1857Indian Rebellion of 185703232nd Regiment of FootLucknow, India
1857Indian Rebellion of 18575th Bengal European Light CavalryLucknow, India
1857Indian Rebellion of 18571st Bengal European Light CavalryLucknow, India
1903Somaliland CampaignRifle BrigadeDaratoleh, Somaliland
1854Crimean War0044th Regiment of FootSevastopol, Crimea
1857Indian Rebellion of 185709090th Regiment of FootLucknow, India
1857Indian Rebellion of 185709393rd Regiment of FootLucknow, India
1857Indian Rebellion of 185707575th Regiment of FootDelhi, India
1867Andaman Islands Expedition02424th Regiment of FootLittle Andaman, India
1857Indian Rebellion of 185702323rd Regiment of FootLucknow, India
1915*First World War0088th (Winnipeg Rifles) BattalionYpres, Belgium
1879Second Afghan WarStaff CorpsStaff Corps and Corps of GuidesFuttehabad, Afghanistan
1917First World War02929th Battalion, CEFLens, France
1857Indian Rebellion of 1857Naval BrigadeLucknow, India
1879Second Afghan WarRoyal EngineersBazar Valley, Afghanistan
1857Indian Rebellion of 18570099th Queen's Royal LancersDelhi, India
1917First World WarLord Strathcona's HorseGuyencourt, France
1857Indian Rebellion of 185705252nd Regiment of FootDelhi, India
1857Indian Rebellion of 185709090th RegimentLucknow, India
1916First World WarPrince of Wales's Leinster RegimentGuillemont, France
1916First World WarConnaught RangersGuillemont, France
1857Indian Rebellion of 185705353rd Regiment of FootLucknow, India
1941*Second World WarRoyal Northumberland FusiliersTobruk, Libya
1857Indian Rebellion of 1857Bengal ArtilleryLucknow, India
1899Second Boer WarImperial Light Horse (Natal)Elandslaagte, South Africa
1855Crimean War0077th RegimentSebastopol, Crimea
1857Indian Rebellion of 1857Bengal Civil ServiceLucknow, India
1858Indian Rebellion of 1857Bombay ArtilleryChundairee, India
1943Second World WarAustralianAustralian Imperial ForceNew Guinea, Pacific
1916First World WarDuke of Wellington's RegimentLe Sars, France[5]
1915First World WarLancashire FusiliersGallipoli, Turkey
1857Indian Rebellion of 185753rd Regiment of FootLucknow, India
1914First World WarGordon HighlandersYpres, Belgium
1920*Waziristan Campaign03939th Garhwal RiflesKot Kai, India
1857Indian Rebellion of 185708484th Regiment of FootOonao, India
1860Second Opium War06767th Regiment of FootTaku Forts, China
1857Indian Rebellion of 1857Bengal ArtilleryLucknow, India
1857Indian Rebellion of 185703232nd Regiment of FootLucknow, India
1879Second Afghan WarRoyal EngineersMaidanah, Afghanistan
1879Anglo-Zulu War01313th Regiment of FootInhlobana, South Africa
1855Crimean WarRoyal EngineersSevastopol, Crimea
1893Kachin ExpeditionArmy Medical ServicesArmy Medical ServiceFort Sima, Burma
1944*Second World WarNo. 271 Squadron RAFBattle of Arnhem, Netherlands
1854Crimean WarÅland, Finland[6]
1861First Taranaki War040New Zealand
1855Crimean War01919th Regiment of FootSevastopol, Crimea
1858Indian Rebellion of 185707272nd Bengal Native InfantryCalpee, India
1854Crimean War04141st RegimentLittle Inkerman, Crimea
1945Second World WarJohore Straits, Singapore[7]
1868Abyssinian Expedition03333rd Regiment of FootMagdala, Abyssinia
1857*Indian Rebellion of 1857102Mungulwar, India
1864New Zealand WarsRoyal ArtilleryTauranga, New Zealand
1918*First World WarNo. 74 Squadron RAFWestern Front
1900Second Boer WarDevonshire RegimentLadysmith, South Africa
1855Crimean War0033rd Regiment of FootSevastopol, Crimea
1855Crimean War05757th Regiment of FootSevastopol, Crimea
1916*First World WarRoyal Ulster RiflesThiepval Wood, France
1857Indian Rebellion of 1857101101st Regiment of FootDelhi, India
1857Indian Rebellion of 1857101101st Regiment of FootDelhi, India
1857Indian Rebellion of 18570055th Regiment of FootLucknow, India
1857Indian Rebellion of 18570055th Regiment of FootLucknow, India
1858Indian Rebellion of 185709595th Regiment of FootRowa, India
1854Crimean War04444th Regiment of FootSevastopol, Crimea
1918First World WarPrince of Wales's Leinster RegimentLedeghem, Belgium
1857Anglo-Persian War0033rd Bombay Light CavalryKhushab, Persia
1877Cape Frontier Wars08888th RegimentKomgha, South Africa
1915*First World WarRoyal Irish FusiliersMessines, Belgium
1917First World WarIrish GuardsBroembeek, Belgium
1855Crimean War09090th Regiment of FootRedan, Crimea
1880Second Afghan WarRoyal Horse ArtilleryMaiwand, Afghanistan[8]
1858Indian Rebellion of 185701717th LancersAzumgurh, India[9]
1867Andaman Islands Expedition02424th Regiment of FootLittle Andaman, India
1881First Boer War088Elandsfontein, South Africa
1864New Zealand Wars06868th Regiment of FootTauranga, New Zealand
1857Indian Rebellion of 185708484th Regiment of FootLucknow, India
1917First World WarIrish GuardsCuinchy, France
1858Indian Rebellion of 1857Rifle BrigadeLucknow, India
1914First World WarRoyal ArtilleryNéry, France
1918*First World War03838th Battalion, CEFDrocourt-Quéant Line, France
1899Second Boer WarRoyal Field ArtilleryColenso, South Africa
1854Crimean War02323rd Regiment of FootAlma, Crimea[10]
1866Fenian raids on CanadaRifle BrigadeDanville, Quebec, Canada[11]
1915First World WarIrish GuardsCuinchy, France
1857Indian Rebellion of 1857Bengal ArtilleryLucknow, India
1916First World War0011st Division (Australia)Pozières, France
1917First World War0077th Battalion, CEFHill 70, France
1915First World WarRoyal Inniskilling FusiliersGallipoli, Turkey
1879Anglo-Zulu WarFrontier Light HorseUlundi, South Africa
1854Crimean War04949th Regiment of FootSevastopol, Crimea
1854Crimean War07777th Regiment of FootAlma, Crimea
1858Indian Rebellion of 185708686th Regiment of FootJhansi, India
1857Indian Rebellion of 18570022nd Punjab CavalryAgra, India
1855Crimean War0011st Regiment of FootSevastopol, Crimea
1857Indian Rebellion of 18570099th Queen's Royal LancersDelhi, India
1916First World WarRoyal Ulster RiflesHamel, France
1899Second Boer WarRoyal Field ArtilleryColenso, South Africa
1879Anglo-Zulu WarArmy Medical ServiceArmy Medical ServiceRorke's Drift, Natal, South Africa
1859Indian Rebellion of 185703434th Regiment of FootKewane Trans-Gogra, India
1879Naga Hills ExpeditionBengal Staff CorpsKonoma, India
1899*Second Boer WarKing's Royal Rifle CorpsColenso, South Africa
1917*First World WarQueen's Royal RegimentZonnebeke, Belgium
1858Indian Rebellion of 1857Bengal ArmyKuthirga, India
1860Second Opium War04444th Regiment of FootTaku Forts, China
1915First World WarEast Surrey RegimentHill 60, Belgium
1857Indian Rebellion of 1857102102nd Madras FusiliersLucknow, India
1863New Zealand Wars06565th Regiment of FootCameron Town, New Zealand
1857Indian Rebellion of 1857101101st Regiment of FootDelhi, India
1900Second Boer WarManchester RegimentNatal, South Africa[12]
1857Indian Rebellion of 185708484th Regiment of FootLucknow, India
1858Indian Rebellion of 1857Royal EngineersJhansi, India
1864New Zealand Wars04343rd Regiment of FootTauranga, New Zealand
1855Crimean War01717th Regiment of FootSevastopol, Crimea
1915First World WarRoyal Inniskilling FusiliersGallipoli, Turkey
1863New Zealand Wars05757th Regiment of FootPoutoko, New Zealand
1855Crimean WarNaval BrigadeSevastopol, Crimea
1863New Zealand WarsRoyal ArtilleryRangiriri, New Zealand
1857Indian Rebellion of 18570022nd Bengal Native InfantryIndore, India
1854Crimean War03030th Regiment of FootInkerman, Crimea
1858Indian Rebellion of 18570088th King's Royal Irish HussarsGwalior, India
1879Second Afghan War09292nd Regiment of FootCharasiah, Afghanistan
1855Crimean War07777th Regiment of FootSevastopol, Crimea
1901Second Boer WarCape PoliceRuiterskraal, South Africa

See also

References

Bibliography

Archives

Notes and References

  1. Book: Christopher McCreery . The Canadian Honours System . 2015 . Dundurn . 978-1-4597-2417-4 . 130.
  2. Web site: VC background . British War Graves Memorial . 7 April 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071006193449/http://www.britishwargraves.org.uk/newsite/medals/Victoria_Cross.htm . 6 October 2007 .
  3. Karsten . Peter . 1983 . Irish Soldiers in the British Army, 1792–1922: Suborned or Subordinate . Journal of Social History . 17 . 1 . 31–64 . 10.1353/jsh/17.1.31.
  4. Between 1858 and 1881 the Victoria Cross could be awarded for actions taken "under circumstances of extreme danger" not in the face of the enemy. Five people were awarded Victoria Crosses when they manned a boat to rescue their comrades who had been sent to the Andaman Islands on an investigation. This rule was changed in 1881 to only allow acts "in the presence of the enemy".Web site: VC background . British War Graves Memorial . 7 April 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071006193449/http://www.britishwargraves.org.uk/newsite/medals/Victoria_Cross.htm . 6 October 2007 .
  5. Kelly is considered an Irish recipient as well as English, due to Irish parentage.
    Web site: Manchester Military & Civilian Heroes (2) . Papillon Graphics' Virtual Encyclopaedia of Greater Manchester . 7 December 2007 . 7 April 2008 . usurped . https://web.archive.org/web/20080327115538/http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/celebs/military2.html . 27 March 2008 .
  6. The earliest action for which the VC was awarded (First Battle of Bomarsund, 21 June 1854).
  7. The only native of Northern Ireland to receive the VC for action in the Second World War.
  8. Mullane was born in India. He is considered an Irish recipient by parentage
    Doherty, Truesdale, 2000
  9. Michael Murphy was one eight VC recipients whose award was forfeited. Although King George V in 1920 expressed the view that the VC should not be forfeited, the medals of Murphy and the other seven were not restored. List of Recipients of the Victoria Cross, The War Office (MS3), January 1953, note, page 7.
  10. The earliest action for which the VC was awarded to a soldier (20 September 1854).
  11. Between 1858 and 1881 the Victoria Cross could be awarded for actions taken "under circumstances of extreme danger" not in the face of the enemy. Six in total were awarded for actions taken not in the face of the enemy. O'Hea single-handedly put out a fire in an ammunition railway car, for which he was awarded the VC. This rule was changed in 1881 to only allow acts "in the presence of the enemy".Web site: VC background . British War Graves Memorial . 7 April 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071006193449/http://www.britishwargraves.org.uk/newsite/medals/Victoria_Cross.htm . 6 October 2007 .
  12. Scott was born in Manchester, England. He is considered an Irish recipient by parentage.
    Doherty, Truesdale, 2000

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