William McWheeney 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 [[United Kingdom|British] and Commonwealth forces.

Details

He was approx. 17 years old, and a Sergeant in the 44th Regiment (later The Essex Regiment) , British Army during the Crimean War when the following deed 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.

Further information

Also known as MAWHINNEY.

The medal

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

See also

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (Kent)

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