Samuel Parkes
Private, 4th Light Dragoons
- Register No.
- 964 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Private all Privates →
- Unit
- 4th Light Dragoons all 4th Light Dragoons VCs →
- Date of action
- 25 October 1854 on this day → all of 1854 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Crimean War
- London Gazette
- 24th February 1857 on this day → all of 1857 →
- Born
- in 1813 at Stafford, Staffordshire
- Died
- 14th November 1864 at London
- Memorial / grave
- Buried in unmarked grave at Brompton Cemetery, London
Digest of citation
In the charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava, Crimea, Trumpet Major Crawford's horse fell and dismounted him, causing him to lose his sword. He was then attacked by two Cossacks when Private Parkes, whose horse had been killed, saved his life by placing himself between them and the Trumpet Major, driving them away with this sword. Whilst attempting to follow the Light Cavalry, in its retreat, they were both attacked by six Russians whom Parkes kept at a distance, as they retired slowly, using his sword deftly and skilfully to defend the Trumpet Major, for some time, until he was deprived of his sword by a shot
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
PARKES, Samuel. (reg No. 964).
Private . 4th Light Dragoons *.
London Gazetted on 24th February 1857.
Born in 1813 at Stafford, Staffordshire.
Died on 14th November 1864 at London.
Buried in unmarked grave at Brompton Cemetery, London.
Digest of Citation reads: In the charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava, Crimea, Trumpet Major Crawford's horse fell and dismounted him, causing him to lose his sword. He was then attacked by two Cossacks when Private Parkes, whose horse had been killed, saved his life by placing himself between them and the Trumpet Major, driving them away with this sword. Whilst attempting to follow the Light Cavalry, in its retreat, they were both attacked by six Russians whom Parkes kept at a distance, as they retired slowly, using his sword deftly and skilfully to defend the Trumpet Major, for some time, until he was deprived of his sword by a shot.
* Queen's Own 4th Hussars Additional information:. Private Parkes' Army No. 635 of the 4th Light Dragoons. He was presented with the Victoria Cross at the Investiture held on Hyde Park on the 26th June 1857.
Additional information
Private Parkes' Army No. 635 of the 4th Light Dragoons. He was presented with the Victoria Cross at the Investiture held on Hyde Park on the 26th June 1857.
* Queen's Own 4th Hussars
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Buried in unmarked grave at Brompton Cemetery, London
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