John Alexander (VC)
| John Alexander | |
|---|---|
|
Depiction of the Siege of Sebastopol | |
| Born | Mullingar, County Westmeath |
| Died |
24 September 1857 (aged ??) Alumbagh, Lucknow, British India |
| Buried at | Presumed buried where he fell |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |
 British Army |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit | 90th Perthshire Light Infantry |
| Battles/wars |
Crimean War Indian Mutiny † |
| Awards |
Victoria Cross Médaille Militaire (France) |
John Alexander VC (Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland birth date unknown, died 24 September 1857) was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to a member of the British and Commonwealth forces.
Alexander was a private in the 90th Perthshire Light Infantry (later known as The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)), British Army during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:
On 18 June 1855 after the attack on the Redan at Sebastopol, Crimea, Alexander went out from the trenches under very heavy fire and brought in several wounded men. On 6 September, when he was with a working party in the most advanced trench, he went out under heavy fire and helped to bring in a captain who was severely wounded.[1]
He was killed in action during the Siege of Lucknow during the Indian Mutiny in British India on 24 September 1857.
The medal
Private Alexander's Victoria Cross is displayed at the National War Museum of Scotland at Edinburgh Castle in Scotland.[2]
References
Listed in order of publication year
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
- Clarke, Brian D. H. (1986). "A register of awards to Irish-born officers and men". The Irish Sword XVI (64): 185–287.
- Ireland's VCs ISBN 1-899243-00-3 (Dept of Economic Development, 1995)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)