William Henry Thomas Sylvester Explained

William Henry Thomas Sylvester
Birth Date:16 April 1831
Death Date:13 March 1920 (aged 88)
Birth Place:Devizes, Wiltshire
Death Place:Paignton, Devon
Placeofburial:Paignton Cemetery
Rank:Surgeon Major
Branch: British Army
Unit:23rd Regiment of Foot
25th Regiment of Foot
Battles:Crimean War
Indian Mutiny
Awards:Victoria Cross
Légion d'honneur (France)

William Henry Thomas Sylvester VC (16 April 1831  - 13 March 1920) was an English 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

Sylvester was 24 years old, and an assistant surgeon in the 23rd Regiment of Foot (later The Royal Welch Fusiliers), British Army during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 8 September 1855, at Sebastopol, Crimea, near the Redan, Assistant Surgeon Sylvester went with a corporal (Robert Shields) to the aid of an officer who was mortally wounded and remained with him, dressing his wounds, in a most dangerous and exposed situation. Again, on 18 September this officer was at the front, under heavy fire, attending the wounded.

Further information

He later achieved the rank of surgeon major and was the last surviving VC holder of the Crimean War. He was reputed to have worked with Florence Nightingale.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Army Medical Services Museum, Mytchett, Surrey.

References

. David Charles Harvey. Monuments to Courage. April 2000. Naval & Military Press. 978-1-84342-356-0.

External links