Patrick Roddy
Ensign, Bengal Army
- Register No.
- 1074 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Ensign all Ensigns →
- Unit
- Bengal Army all Bengal Army VCs →
- Date of action
- 27 September 1858 on this day → all of 1858 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Indian Mutiny
- London Gazette
- 12th April 1859 on this day → all of 1859 →
- Born
- 17th March 1827 at Elphin, Roscommon, Ireland
- Died
- 21st November 1895 at Jersey, Channel Islands
- Memorial / grave
- at Mount A'Labbe Cemetery, St Helier, Jersey
Digest of citation
For gallant conduct on several occasions. Also on the date of 27th September 1858, Ensign Roddy, when engaged with the enemy, charged a rebel, who was armed with a percussion musket, when the cavalry were afraid to approach, because each time they did so, the rebel took aim on his assailant. This did not deter Ensign Roddy, who charged in. When he was within six yards, the rebel fired, the shot killing the ensign's horse. Before he could disentangle himself from the horse, the rebel attempted to cut him down. The Ensign managed to seize and hold the rebel until he could draw his sword, he then ran the rebel through. The rebel was a powerful man and had been a Subadar in the 8th Native Infantry
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
RODDY, Patrick. (reg No. 1074).
Ensign. Bengal Army.
London Gazetted on 12th April 1859.
VC Medal is privately held.
Born on 17th March 1827 at Elphin, Roscommon, Ireland.
Died on 21st November 1895 at Jersey, Channel Islands.
Memorial on grave at Mount A'Labbe Cemetery, St Helier, Jersey.
Digest of Citation reads: For gallant conduct on several occasions. Also on the date of 27th September 1858, Ensign Roddy, when engaged with the enemy, charged a rebel, who was armed with a percussion musket, when the cavalry were afraid to approach, because each time they did so, the rebel took aim on his assailant. This did not deter Ensign Roddy, who charged in. When he was within six yards, the rebel fired, the shot killing the ensign's horse. Before he could disentangle himself from the horse, the rebel attempted to cut him down. The Ensign managed to seize and hold the rebel until he could draw his sword, he then ran the rebel through. The rebel was a powerful man and had been a Subadar in the 8th Native Infantry.
Additional information:. Colonel Roddy, apart from serving in the Indian Mutiny, saw service in the Abyssinian War of 1868, he was Mentioned in Despatches, receiving the Brevet of Major and the Campaign Medal. In 1878-79 he was Mentioned in Despatches again while serving in the Afghan War and received the Afghan Medal and Clasp, Ali Musjid. In 1887 he retired as Colonel from the Bengal Service after 39 years.
Additional information
Colonel Roddy, apart from serving in the Indian Mutiny, saw service in the Abyssinian War of 1868, he was Mentioned in Despatches, receiving the Brevet of Major and the Campaign Medal. In 1878-79 he was Mentioned in Despatches again while serving in the Afghan War and received the Afghan Medal and Clasp, Ali Musjid. In 1887 he retired as Colonel from the Bengal Service after 39 years.
VC Medal is privately held.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Mount A'Labbe Cemetery, St Helier, Jersey
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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