John Smith
Private, 1st Madras Fusiliers
- Register No.
- 1161 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Private (register: Sergeant) all Privates →
- Unit
- 1st Madras Fusiliers (register: Bengal Sappers and Miners) all Bengal Sappers and Miners VCs →
- Date of action
- 14 September 1857 on this day → all of 1857 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Indian Mutiny
- London Gazette
- 24th December, 1858 on this day → all of 1858 →
- Born
- in July 1822 in the parish of St Luke, London
- Died
- 6th May 1866 at Taujore,Trichinopoly, India
- Memorial / grave
- Buried in unmarked grave in Taujore Cemetery, Trichinopoly, India
- Medal held by
- unknown
Digest of citation
On 16th November, 1857 at Lucknow, India, Private Smith was one of the first to enter Secundra Bagh when the gateway on the north side had been burst open. He was immediately surrounded by the enemy but not withstanding the fact that he received a sword cut on their head, a bayonet wound on the left side and bruising from the butt-end of a musket, he fought his way out and continued to perform his duties for the rest of the day
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
SMITH, John. (reg No. 1161).
Private. 1st Madras Fusiliers.* London Gazetted on 24th December, 1858.
VC Medal's Custodian is unknown.
Born on in July 1822 in the parish of St Luke, London.
Died on 6th May 1866 at Taujore,Trichinopoly, India.
Buried in unmarked grave in Taujore Cemetery, Trichinopoly, India.
Digest of Citation reads: On 16th November, 1857 at Lucknow, India, Private Smith was one of the first to enter Secundra Bagh when the gateway on the north side had been burst open. He was immediately surrounded by the enemy but not withstanding the fact that he received a sword cut on their head, a bayonet wound on the left side and bruising from the butt-end of a musket, he fought his way out and continued to perform his duties for the rest of the day.
* Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
Additional information:. Private Smith was elected, under Rule 13 of the Royal Warrant, by the Regiment for the Victoria Cross.
Additional information
Private Smith was elected, under Rule 13 of the Royal Warrant, by the Regiment for the Victoria Cross.
* Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Buried in unmarked grave in Taujore Cemetery, Trichinopoly, India
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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