John Harrison 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 25 years old, and a Leading Seaman in the Royal Navy, (Naval Brigade) during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 16 November 1857 at Lucknow, India, volunteers were called for to climb a tree near the wall of the Shah Nujeff mosque in order to spot the enemy's position and then to dislodge the mutineers who were throwing grenades and firing on the gun crews below. Leading Seaman Harrison, together with a lieutenant (Nowell Salmon) and an able seaman responded to the call and succeeded in performing this dangerous service, but the lieutenant was wounded in the thigh and the able seaman was killed.

Further information

He later achieved the rank of Boatswain's Mate .

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Maritime Museum (Greenwich, England).

Reference

• Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
• Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)

External link

• This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.