Philip Smith (VC) explained

Philip Smith
Birth Date:c. 1829
Death Date:16 January 1906
Birth Place:Lurgan, County Cavan
Death Place:Dublin
Placeofburial:Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin
Rank:Lance Sergeant
Branch: British Army
Unit:17th Regiment of Foot
Battles:Crimean War
Awards:Victoria Cross
Médaille militaire (France)

Philip Smith VC (1829 – 16 January 1906) was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

He was 26 years old, and a corporal in the 17th Regiment (later the Leicestershire Regiment), British Army during the Siege of Sevastopol in the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

For repeatedly going out in the front of the advanced trenches against the Great Redan, on the 18th June, 1855, under a very heavy fire, after the column had retired from the assault, and bringing in wounded comrades.

Further information

Having achieved the rank of lance sergeant, he was later reduced to the ranks and when discharged he was a private. He died at Harolds Cross, Dublin on 16 January 1906 and was buried at Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin.[1]

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Museum of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment now housed in the Newarke Houses Museum, Leicester, England.

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Smith, Philip VC . Regimental Association of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment . 24 April 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140424224740/http://www.royalleicestershireregiment.org.uk/have-you-a-tiger/record/54423/ . 24 April 2014 . dead .