Henry Hartigan

Henry Hartigan VC (March 1826- 29 October 1886) was born Drumlea, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh and 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 about 31 years old, and a Pensioned Sergeant in the 9th Lancers, British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 8 June 1857 at the Battle of Badle-ke-Serai, near Delhi, India, Pensioned Sergeant Hartigan went to the assistance of another sergeant who was wounded, dismounted and surrounded by the enemy, and at the risk of his own life, carried the casualty to safety. On 10 October at Agra, Sergeant Hartigan went to the assistance of another sergeant who was being attacked by four rebels. He seized a tulwar from one of them, hitting him in the mouth, then, defending himself from the other three, killed one and wounded two. He was himself dangerously wounded during this action.

Further information

He later achieved the rank of Lieutenant. He died in Calcutta, India 29 October 1886.

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)