John Smith Military person

Private John Smith VC was an English 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 born in London 1822 and enlisted in the 1st Madras European Fusiliers in 1841. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for action on 16 November 1857 at the Siege of Lucknow. His citation read:For being one of the first to try and enter the gateway on the north side of Secundra Bagh. On the gateway being burst open, he was one of the first to enter, and was surrounded by the enemy. He received a sword-cut on the head, a bayonet wound on the left side, and a contusion from the butt-end of a musket on the right shoulder, notwithstanding which he fought his way out, and continued to perform his duties for the rest of the day.Smith was discharged on pension in 1861 and died on 6 May 1866 at Tanjore, India.

Personal facts

John Smith
Birth dateJanuary 01, 1822
Birth place
England , London
Date of deathJanuary 01, 1866
Place of death
Thanjavur , Presidencies and provinces of British India
Resting place
Tiruchirappalli

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Military person

award
Victoria Cross
military operations
Indian Rebellion of 1857
military branch
Madras Army
military unit
102nd Regiment of Foot (Royal Madras Fusiliers)
service start1822
service end1861

John Smith on Wikipedia