Thomas Monaghan
Trumpeter, 2nd Battalion. Dragoon Guards
- Register No.
- 881 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Trumpeter all Trumpeters →
- Unit
- 2nd Battalion. Dragoon Guards (register: 2nd Dragoon Guards) all 2nd Dragoon Guards VCs →
- Date of action
- 8 October 1858 on this day → all of 1858 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Indian Mutiny
- London Gazette
- 11th November 1862 on this day → all of 1862 →
- Born
- 18th October 1833 at Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
- Died
- 10th November 1895 at Woolwich, London
- Memorial / grave
- at Woolwich Cemetery, London
Digest of citation
At Jamo, Sundeela,Oudh India, on 8th October 1858, a body of mutinous sepoys, around 30 to 40 in number, without warning,began firing on Lieutenant Colonel Seymour, the Commanding Officer of the regiment, and his party at close range, then rushing at them immediately with drawn swords.. After emptying his pistol with deadly effect on his attackers, the Colonel was brought down with two sword cuts. Trumpeter Monaghan and Private Anderson rushed to his rescue, Trumpeter Monaghan shot a mutineer who was attempting to cut him. Then, along with the Dragoon, he drove at the mutineers using their swords, allowing the Colonel to rise and help defend himself, until the enemy were finally driven off
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
MONAGHAN, Thomas. (reg No. 881).
Trumpeter. 2nd Battalion. Dragoon Guards. * London Gazetted on 11th November 1862.
Born on 18th October 1833 at Abergavenny, Monmouthshire.
Died on 10th November 1895 at Woolwich, London.
Memorial on grave at Woolwich Cemetery, London.
Digest of Citation reads: At Jamo, Sundeela,Oudh India, on 8th October 1858, a body of mutinous sepoys, around 30 to 40 in number, without warning,began firing on Lieutenant Colonel Seymour, the Commanding Officer of the regiment, and his party at close range, then rushing at them immediately with drawn swords.. After emptying his pistol with deadly effect on his attackers, the Colonel was brought down with two sword cuts. Trumpeter Monaghan and Private Anderson rushed to his rescue, Trumpeter Monaghan shot a mutineer who was attempting to cut him. Then, along with the Dragoon, he drove at the mutineers using their swords, allowing the Colonel to rise and help defend himself, until the enemy were finally driven off.
* Queen's Bays.
Additional information:. His Victoria Cross was sold on 5th November 1903 in London, for £43.
Additional information
His Victoria Cross was sold on 5th November 1903 in London, for £43.
* Queen's Bays.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Woolwich Cemetery, London
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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