John Prettyjohn
Corporal, Royal Marine Light Infantry
- Register No.
- 1002 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Corporal all Corporals →
- Unit
- Royal Marine Light Infantry all Royal Marine Light Infantry VCs →
- Date of action
- 5 November 1854 on this day → all of 1854 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Crimean War
- London Gazette
- 24th February 1857 on this day → all of 1857 →
- Born
- 11th June 1823 at Dean Prior, Ashburton, Devon
- Died
- 20th January 1887 at Manchester, Lancashire
- Memorial / grave
- not known except that he is buried in Manchester
Digest of citation
For gallantry at the Battle of Inkerman, on 5th November 1854, he had been seen to shoot four Russians. Corporal Prettyjohn's Platoon went out, under Captain Hopkins, to clear some caves from which snipers were operating. During this operation, the platoon had used up most of its ammunition when it came to their notice that fresh parties of Russians were creeping, in single file, up the hillside. Corporal Prettyjohn instructed his men to collect as many stones as possible in order to use instead of ammunition. The first Russian to appear was seized by the corporal and hurled down the slope. As the others got closer they were bombarded with a hail of stones causing them to retreat
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
PRETTYJOHN, John. (reg No. 1002).
Corporal. Royal Marine Light Infantry.
London Gazetted on 24th February 1857.
Born on 11th June 1823 at Dean Prior, Ashburton, Devon.
Died on 20th January 1887 at Manchester, Lancashire.
Memorial not known except that he is buried in Manchester.
Digest of Citation reads: For gallantry at the Battle of Inkerman, on 5th November 1854, he had been seen to shoot four Russians. Corporal Prettyjohn's Platoon went out, under Captain Hopkins, to clear some caves from which snipers were operating. During this operation, the platoon had used up most of its ammunition when it came to their notice that fresh parties of Russians were creeping, in single file, up the hillside. Corporal Prettyjohn instructed his men to collect as many stones as possible in order to use instead of ammunition. The first Russian to appear was seized by the corporal and hurled down the slope. As the others got closer they were bombarded with a hail of stones causing them to retreat.
Additional information:. In Patrick Pringle's book, Fighting Marines, he mentions a story that the men of the platoon chose Prettyjohn to receive the VC. The choice was between, according to the book, Prettyjohn or Colour Sergeant Jordan. I can find no record of this so far.
Additional information
In Patrick Pringle's book, Fighting Marines, he mentions a story that the men of the platoon chose Prettyjohn to receive the VC. The choice was between, according to the book, Prettyjohn or Colour Sergeant Jordan. I can find no record of this so far.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: not known except that he is buried in Manchester
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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