George Bell Chicken
Mr, Volunteer with the Indian Naval Brigade
- Register No.
- 211 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Mr (register: Civilian) all Civilians →
- Unit
- Volunteer with the Indian Naval Brigade all Indian Naval Brigade VCs →
- Date of action
- 27 September 1858 on this day → all of 1858 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Indian Mutiny
- London Gazette
- 27th April 1860 on this day → all of 1860 →
- Born
- 6th March 1838 at Bishopswearmouth, County Durham
- Died
- in May 1860 at sea in the Bay of Bengal
- Memorial / grave
- not known
Digest of citation
On 27 September 1858, at Suhednee, near Peroo,(Piru) Bengal, Mr. Chicken attached himself to a mixed party of troopers of mounted police and cavalry. They routed a force of about 700 mutineers and in the pursuit which followed Mr. Chicken forged ahead and charged into the middle of about 20 of the enemy, killing five before he was knocked off his horse and badly wounded. He would have been cut to pieces if four of the troopers had not galloped up and rescued him. (see also C.G.Baker. Reg. No. 46)
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
CHICKEN, George Bell. (Reg. No.211).
Mr. Volunteer with the Indian Naval Brigade.
London Gazetted on 27th April 1860 Born on 6th March 1838 at Bishopswearmouth, County Durham.
Died in May 1860 at sea in the Bay of Bengal.
Memorial not known.
Citation reads. On 27 September 1858, at Suhednee, near Peroo,(Piru) Bengal, Mr. Chicken attached himself to a mixed party of troopers of mounted police and cavalry. They routed a force of about 700 mutineers and in the pursuit which followed Mr. Chicken forged ahead and charged into the middle of about 20 of the enemy, killing five before he was knocked off his horse and badly wounded. He would have been cut to pieces if four of the troopers had not galloped up and rescued him. (see also C.G.Baker. Reg. No. 46)
Additional information: 'The Victoria Cross 1856-1920' states that "for great gallantry on the 4th September 1858." It goes on to give the above citation. It refers to "Kaye and Malleson, Vol V1.,Page 172." No name of ship is given or the actual date it was lost, with all hands, other than May 1860. He was referred to as Acting Master in the Indian Naval Brigade.[At present I am not sure whether he was a civilian volunteer when referred to as 'Mr' or, whether its an abbreviation of 'Ships Master'.]
Additional information
'The Victoria Cross 1856-1920' states that "for great gallantry on the 4th September 1858." It goes on to give the above citation. It refers to "Kaye and Malleson, Vol V1.,Page 172." No name of ship is given or the actual date it was lost, with all hands, other than May 1860. He was referred to as Acting Master in the Indian Naval Brigade.[At present I am not sure whether he was a civilian volunteer when referred to as 'Mr' or, whether its an abbreviation of 'Ships Master'.]
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: not known
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