For the Empire
Famous Irish Victoria Cross Recipients
( A small selection )
Nevill Josiah Aylmer Coghill VC
Liutenant, 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiments. Born 25th January 1852, Drumcondra, Ireland
Action: Isandlwana 1879, Natal, South Africa
22nd January 1879 - After the disaster at Isandlwana, he joined Lieutenant Melvill, who was eneavouring to bring the Queen's Colour of the regiment to safety, and together they rode, pursued by Zulu warriors, to the Buffalo River. He crossed safely, but looked back to see Melville being carried away in the torrent. As he plunged back into the river to assist his brother officer, his horse was shot under him. Both men struggled to the Natal bank, where they were engulfed by Zulus, a people who took no prisoners. When their bodies were discovered, a ring of dead Zulus was found around them.
Above, Nevill Coghill VC.
Left, bravely attempting to save the Queen's Colours at Isandlwana
James, Henry Reynolds VC
Surgeon-Major, Army Medical Corps. Born 3rd February 1844, Dunn Laoghaire, Ireland.
Action : Rorke's Drift 1879, Natal, South Africa
22nd-23rd January 1879 - During the attack by the Undi Regiment at Rorke's Drift, he was constantly moving, attending to the wounded under heavy crossfire from the Zulus on the hills above the post and a constant shower of assegais from those warriors attacking the abrricade. He also, under great danger, carried ammunition to the men from the magazine.
It is worth noting that Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead VC, who helped organise the defence at Rorke's Drift had an Irish backgound. Although born in France, he is considered Irish as his mother was a native of Woodville, Co Sligo. It is also worth mentioning that a myth exists in that those defending the position were all Welsh. The nationalities present according to baptism and birth cerificates which exist are as follows. 28 Irish, 61 English, 1 French ( Bromhead i presume ) 2 India, 1 New Zealand, 2 Scotland, 3 South Africa, 1 Swiss, 25 Welsh/Monmouth, 36 unknown.
Above, James Henry Reynolds.
Left, the heroic fight at Rorke's Drift. Below, Gonville Bromhead.
Luke O' Connor VC
Sergeant, 23rd Regiment of Foot. Born 21st January 1831, Elphin, Co Roscommon, Ireland
Action: Alma, Crimea
The Victoria Cross did not exist at the time of Luke O' Connor's brave deeds, but so memorable were they that he was the first to be awarded the VC on behalf of the British Army. O' Connor is one of the most decorated servicemen ever to have served in the British Army. He was 23 years old, and a Sergeant in the 23rd Regiment of Foot ( later the Royal Welch Fusiliers) during the Crimean War. On the 20th September 1854, in the Crimea, at The Battle of the Alma, Sergeant O' Connor was advancing between two officers when he snatched the fallen Colours from the hands of Lieutenant Anstruther, whose blood stained them as he fell. Although severely wounded himself, Sergeant O' Connor held the Queen's Colours aloft, which by the day's end had 26 holes through it. Although urged to retire to the rear on account of his wounds, he carried the Colours until the end of the action. On the 8th September 1855, he acted with great gallantry during the assault on the Redan, though shot through both thighs. He was the first man of the Army to perofrm an ' action ' subsequently rewarded with the Victoria Cross. He later achieved the rank of Major-General and became Major-General Sir Luke O' Connor. He died on the 1st February 1915.
Above, Sergeant Luke O' Conner, later to become Major-General Sir Luke
O' Connor.
Left, carrying the Queen's Colours at
The Battle of the Alma, during the Crimean War 1854.
