John Alexander (VC)

John Alexander was born in Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland (date unknown), died 24 September 1857, and was by birth an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was a Private in the 90th Perthshire Light Infantry (later known as The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) ), British Army during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:

On 18 June 1855 after the attack on the Redan at Sebastopol, Crimea, Alexander went out from the trenches under very heavy fire and brought in several wounded men. On 6 September, when he was with a working party in the most advanced trench, he went out under heavy fire and helped to bring in a captain who was severely wounded. He was killed in action in Lucknow, India, on 24 September 1857.

The medal

Private Alexander's Victoria Cross is displayed at the National War Museum of Scotland at Edinburgh Castle in Scotland.

References

Listed in order of publication year
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
*The Irish Sword (Brian Clarke 1986)
*Irelands VCs ISBN 1-899243-00-3 (Dept of Economic Development 1995)
*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)

External links

* [http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/gginatob.htm Burial location of John Alexander] "India"
* [http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/ccnwmsco.htm Location of John Alexander's Victoria Cross] "National War Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh"