John Harrison

Leading Seaman, Royal Navy (Naval Brigade)

VC
Register No.
537 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
Rank
Leading Seaman all Leading Seamans →
Unit
Royal Navy (Naval Brigade) all Naval Brigade VCs →
Date of action
16 November 1857 on this day → all of 1857 →
Conflict / campaign
Indian Mutiny
London Gazette
24th December, 1858 on this day → all of 1858 →
Born
24th January, 1832 at Castleborough, County Wexford,
Died
27th December, 1865 in London
Medal held by
the National Maritime Museum. (Greenwich)

Digest of citation

On 16th November 1857 at Lucknow, India, 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 the Lieutenant * 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. Note. The Able Seaman, although taking part in the same action, was neither mentioned by name nor awarded the VC

From Alf Askin's research notes

Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.

HARRISON, John. (reg No. 537).

Leading Seaman. Royal Navy (Naval Brigade).

London Gazetted on 24th December, 1858.

VC Medal's Custodian is the National Maritime Museum. (Greenwich).

Born on 24th January, 1832 at Castleborough, County Wexford,. Ireland.

Died on 27th December, 1865 in London. He is buried in an unmarked grave in Brompton Cemetery, London.

Digest of Citation reads: On 16th November 1857 at Lucknow, India, 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 the Lieutenant * 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.

* See N Salmon (reg No. 1101). Note. The Able Seaman, although taking part in the same action, was neither mentioned by name nor awarded the VC.

Additional information:. AB HARRISON later became a Boatswain's mate and Petty Officer. In the book "Victoria Cross 1856-1920," it states that John Harrison Died on the 25th December 1865.

Additional information

AB HARRISON later became a Boatswain's mate and Petty Officer. In the book "Victoria Cross 1856-1920," it states that John Harrison Died on the 25th December 1865.

* See N Salmon (reg No. 1101).

Ireland.
He is buried in an unmarked grave in Brompton Cemetery, London.

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