William Griffiths (VC)

William Griffiths VC (1841 – 22 January 1879) was born County Roscommon 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 26 years old, and a private in the 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment of Foot (later The South Wales Borderers), British Army during the Andaman Islands Expedition when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 7 May 1867 at the island of Little Andaman, eastern India, in the Bay of Bengal, Private Griffiths was one of a party of five (David Bell, James Cooper, Campbell Mellis Douglas and Thomas Murphy) of the 2/24th Regiment, who risked their lives in manning a boat and proceeding through dangerous surf to rescue some of their comrades who had been sent to the island to find out the fate of the commander and seven of the crew, who had landed from the ship "Assam Valley" and were feared murdered by the cannibalistic islanders.

He was killed in action, in the Battle of Isandhlwana, Zululand, on 22 January 1879.

Further information

VC not awarded for bravery in action against the enemy, but for bravery at sea in saving life in storm off Andaman Islands.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the South Wales Borderers Museum "(Brecon, Powys, Wales)".

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)