Jacob Thomas (VC)

Jacob Thomas VC (1833-3 March 1911) was a Welsh 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 about 24 years old, and a Bombardier in the Bengal Artillery, Indian Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 27 September 1857 at Lucknow, India, a soldier of the Madras Fusiliers, who was with a party returning to the Residency from a sortie, was wounded and in danger of falling into the hands of the enemy. Bombardier Thomas rescued him under heavy fire and under circumstances of considerable difficulty.

Further information

He later achieved the rank of Quartermaster-Sergeant.

He was born in Llanwinio near Carmarthen and died at Darjeeling aged 77 yrs.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Artillery Museum "(Woolwich, England)".

References

*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)