John Purcell
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For the US Archbishop, see John Baptist Purcell
John Purcell 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 approx. 43 years old, and a Private in the 9th Lancers (The Queen's Royal), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 19 June 1857 at Delhi, India, when a wagon of one of the batteries was blown up and the horse of a brigadier was shot, Private Purcell with another private (Thomas Hancock) and a sowar of the 4th Irregular Cavalry stayed with the officer until he could be dragged to safety by the sowar's horse. Private Purcell's horse was killed under him and the other private was severely wounded.
He was killed in action, Delhi, India, on 19 September 1857.
The medal
please update if you know where his medal is publicly displayed
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)
This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference (http://www.victoriacross.net) with permission.