Philip Salkeld
Lieutenant, Bengal Engineers
- Register No.
- 1100 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant all Lieutenants →
- Unit
- Bengal Engineers (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
- 18th June 1858 on this day → all of 1858 →
- Born
- the 13th October, 1830 at Fontmell Magna, Dorset
- Memorial / grave
- on the Kashmir Gate, * in the parish churchyard at Fontmell Magna, Dorset and in St Paul's Cathedral, Calcutta
- Medal held by
- VC Medal's Custodian unknown
Digest of citation
For conspicuous bravery shown in the blowing in of the Kashmir Gate *, of the Delhi Fortress, on 14th September 1857, in broad daylight, under heavy musketry fire, prior to the assault, Lieutenant Salkeld was accompanied by Lieutenant Home, Sergeants Smith and Carmichael and Corporal Burgess, all Bengal Engineers and in addition three Sikhs, Havildars Mahore, Tillah Singh and Sepoy Ramloll and Bugler Hawthorne of the 52nd Light Infantry. On reaching the gateway without casualties, they found that part of the drawbridge had been destroyed. They crossed a precarious footway, on the remaining beams, and lodged their powder bags against the gate. Sergeant Carmichael was killed and Havildar Mahore severely wounded. Having assured that the powder bags had been correctly placed, Lieutenant Home made way for Lieutenant Salkeld and his firing party by jumping into the ditch. Lieutenant Salkeld was mortally wounded whilst attempting to fire the charge. He managed, in spite of his wound, to pass the slow match to Corporal Burgess, who, on accomplishing the task, was killed, as was Sepoy Ramloll. Havildar Tillah Singh was wounded. The operation was a success but Sergeant Smith was injured by falling debris. Bugler Hawthorne then sounded the advance
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
SALKELD, Philip. (reg No. 1100).
Lieutenant. Bengal Engineers.
London Gazetted on 18th June 1858.
VC Medal's Custodian unknown.
Born on the 13th October, 1830 at Fontmell Magna, Dorset.
Died of his wounds on 10th October 1857 at Delhi, India.
Memorials on the Kashmir Gate, * in the parish churchyard at Fontmell Magna, Dorset and in St Paul's Cathedral, Calcutta.
Digest of Citation reads: For conspicuous bravery shown in the blowing in of the Kashmir Gate *, of the Delhi Fortress, on 14th September 1857, in broad daylight, under heavy musketry fire, prior to the assault, Lieutenant Salkeld was accompanied by Lieutenant Home, Sergeants Smith and Carmichael and Corporal Burgess, all Bengal Engineers and in addition three Sikhs, Havildars Mahore, Tillah Singh and Sepoy Ramloll and Bugler Hawthorne of the 52nd Light Infantry. On reaching the gateway without casualties, they found that part of the drawbridge had been destroyed. They crossed a precarious footway, on the remaining beams, and lodged their powder bags against the gate. Sergeant Carmichael was killed and Havildar Mahore severely wounded. Having assured that the powder bags had been correctly placed, Lieutenant Home made way for Lieutenant Salkeld and his firing party by jumping into the ditch. Lieutenant Salkeld was mortally wounded whilst attempting to fire the charge. He managed, in spite of his wound, to pass the slow match to Corporal Burgess, who, on accomplishing the task, was killed, as was Sepoy Ramloll. Havildar Tillah Singh was wounded. The operation was a success but Sergeant Smith was injured by falling debris. Bugler Hawthorne then sounded the advance.
* Cashmere Gate on original report.
Additional information:. General Wilson promised Lieutenant Salkeld the Victoria Cross whilst still in the field. This was the first occasion when the VC was Gazetted, and actually presented, after Lieutenant Salkeld's death. If a man died before being awarded the Cross, he never got it posthumously. But if a man was notified that he was to be awarded the Victoria Cross, then died, then the Cross would be awarded.
Additional information
General Wilson promised Lieutenant Salkeld the Victoria Cross whilst still in the field. This was the first occasion when the VC was Gazetted, and actually presented, after Lieutenant Salkeld's death. If a man died before being awarded the Cross, he never got it posthumously. But if a man was notified that he was to be awarded the Victoria Cross, then died, then the Cross would be awarded.
* Cashmere Gate on original report.
Died of his wounds on 10th October 1857 at Delhi, India.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: on the Kashmir Gate, * in the parish churchyard at Fontmell Magna, Dorset and in St Paul's Cathedral, Calcutta
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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