Frederick Whirlpool

Infobox Military Person
name= Frederick Humphrey Whirlpool
lived=1829-24 June 1899
placeofbirth= Liverpool, England
allegiance= United Kingdom
awards= Victoria Cross

Frederick Whirlpool VC (1829-24 June 1899) was born in Liverpool and was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

He was approximately 29 years old and a private in the 3rd Bombay European Regiment (later The Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment) during the Indian Mutiny when he performed actions which would later earn him the Victoria Cross.

On 3 April, 1858, in the attack on Jhansi, India, Private Whirlpool volunteered to carry several killed and wounded soldiers to safety. He did this twice under very heavy fire. On 2 May he rushed to the rescue of a lieutenant of his regiment who was dangerously wounded. Private Whirlpool received 17 severe wounds, one of which nearly severed his head from his body. The gallant example shown by this man was considered to have greatly contributed to the success of the day.

Further information

Born CONKER, alias JAMES, Frederick Humphrey.

The medal

The presentation of Whirlpool's medal, on 20 June 1861, was the first public presentation in Australia of a Victoria Cross. The medal was presented to him by Lady Barkly, the wife of Sir Henry Barkly, KCB, the governor of Victoria at that time.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Australian War Memorial "(Canberra, Australia)".

References

*Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)

External links

* [http://www.vrb.gov.au/pubs/21-1.pdf Veterans Review Board of Australia newsletter that deals with the Victoria Cross ]