Thomas Duffy (fusilier)

Thomas Duffy VC (1805- 23 December 1858), born in Caulry, Athlone, County Westmeath, was an Irish 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 52 years old, and a private in the 102nd Regiment of Foot (Royal Madras Fusiliers) (later The Royal Dublin Fusiliers), Indian Army during the Indian rebellion of 1857 when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 26 September 1857 at Lucknow, India, a 24-pounder gun which had been used against the enemy on the previous day was left in an exposed position and all efforts to reach it were unsuccessful, so heavy was the fire maintained on it by the mutineers. Private Duffy, however, who went out with two others, managed to fasten a rope to the gun in such a manner that it could be pulled away and was saved from falling into the hands of the enemy.

He died Dublin, 23 December 1858

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Army Museum "(Chelsea, England)".

References

*The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
*The Irish Sword (Brian Clarke 1986)
*Irelands VCs (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.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/dublin.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(Dublin)"