John Simpson Knox

John Simpson Knox VC (Legion d'Honneur (France)) was a Scottish 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 25 years old, and a sergeant in the Scots Fusilier Guards, British Army during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 20 September 1854 at the Battle of the Alma, Crimea, Sergeant Knox, while serving with the Scots (Fusilier) Guards, behaved with conspicuous courage in re-forming the ranks of the Guards at a decisive moment of the action. Subsequently, when he was a lieutenant in the Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)|Rifle Brigade, on 18 June 1855, he volunteered for the ladder party in the attack on the Redan, acting with great gallantry and remaining on the field until twice wounded.

Further information

He was commissioned into the Rifle Brigade in February 1855 and later achieved the rank of Brevet Major.

References

*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
*Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)

External links

* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/gloucest.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(Gloucestershire)"