William McWheeney

William McWheeney

Depiction of the Siege of Sebastopol
Born 1830
Bangor, County Down, Ireland, UK
Died 17 May 1866 (aged 35–36)
Dover, Kent, England, UK
Buried at St James Cemetery, Dover
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Rank Colour Sergeant
Unit 44th (East Essex) Regiment of Foot
Battles/wars Crimean War
Second Anglo-Chinese War
Awards Victoria Cross
Distinguished Conduct Medal

William McWheeney VC DCM (1830 17 May 1866) was born in Bangor, County Down. He 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 about 24 years old, and a sergeant in the 44th Regiment of Foot (later The Essex Regiment), British Army during the Crimean War when the following deeds took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 20 October 1854 at Sebastopol, in the Crimea, a party of sharpshooters were being repulsed from the Quarries, and a private from the 44th Regiment was dangerously wounded. Sergeant McWheeney took the wounded man on his back and carried him to a place of safety under very heavy fire. On 5 December he saved the life of a corporal, bringing him in under fire and digging a slight cover with his bayonet, where the two of them remained until dark. On 18 June 1855 Sergeant McWheeney volunteered for the advanced guard in the Cemetery and was never absent from duty during the war.[1]

Further information

He was also known as Mawhinney. He died at Dover, Kent on 17 May 1866.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at The Essex Regiment Museum (Chelmsford, Essex, England).

References

Listed in order of publication year

External links

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