George Richardson (VC)
George Richardson | |
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Born | Derrylane, Killeshandra, County Cavan | 1 August 1831
Died | 28 January 1923 London, Ontario, Canada | (aged 91)
Buried | Prospect Cemetery, Toronto, Ontario |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | ![]() |
Rank | Sergeant |
Unit | 34th Regiment of Foot |
Battles/wars | |
Awards | Victoria Cross |
George Richardson VC (1 August 1831 – 28 January 1923) was born in Derrylane, Killeshandra, County Cavan the son of John and Anne Richardson. He became 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 27 years old, and a private in the 34th Regiment of Foot (later The Border Regiment), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:
At Kewanie, Trans-Gogra, on the 27th of April. 1859, for determined courage in having, although severely wounded,—one arm being disabled,—closed with and secured a Rebel Sepoy armed with a loaded revolver.[1]
He emigrated to Montreal, Canada and joined / Served with the 1st Prince of Wales Regiment (1st P.W.R.), an antecedent unit of The Canadian Grenadier Guards and achieved the rank of sergeant from approx. 1865–1878. He retired, and was given a land grant in Southern, Ontario where he lived until passing in London, Ontario, Canada on 28 January 1923.
References
- ^ "No. 22324". The London Gazette. 11 November 1859. p. 4032.
- 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)
- Irregular correspondence
- Breifne Journal 2015 (Journal of Cumann Seanchais Bhreifne); Victoria Cross recipients from County Cavan