John Farrell (VC)

For other people named John Farrell, see John Farrell (disambiguation).
John Farrell

Depiction of the Charge of the Light Brigade
Born March 1826
Dublin, Ireland
Died 31 August 1865 (aged 39)
Secunderabad, India
Buried at Secunderabad Cemetery
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Rank Quartermaster-Sergeant
Unit 17th Lancers
Battles/wars Crimean War
Indian Mutiny
Awards Victoria Cross

John Farrell VC (Irish: Seán Ó Fearghail; March 1826, Dublin – 31 August 1865) was a British Army soldier and 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.

He was a sergeant in the 17th Lancers (Duke of Cambridge's Own), British Army during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:

On 25 October 1854 at Balaklava, Crimea during the Charge of the Light Brigade, Sergeant Farrell, whose horse had been killed under him, stopped on the field and amidst a storm of shot and shell helped Troop Sergeant Major John Berryman and Sergeant Joseph Malone to move a severely wounded officer (who subsequently died) out of range of the guns.[1]

He later achieved the rank of Quartermaster-Sergeant. He was killed in action at Secunderabad, British India, on 31 August 1865.

References

  1. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 22065. p. 3920. 20 November 1857. Retrieved 29 March 2015.


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