Samuel Mitchell (VC)

Samuel Mitchell VC (8 September 1841-16 March 1894) was an English 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 22 years old, and a captain of the foretop in the Royal Navy during the Waikato-Hauhau Maori War, New Zealand when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 29 April 1864 near Te Papa, Tauranga, New Zealand, a storming party of 150 sailors and marines from HMS "Harrier", together with the same number of soldiers of the 43rd Light Infantry, succeeded in establishing themselves inside a fortified position known as the Gate Pah. The enemy's fire, however, was heavy and accurate and all the officers were either killed or wounded. Captain of the Foretop Mitchell went into the pah with the commander of "Harrier", and when that officer was mortally wounded Mitchell insisted on bringing him out to safety although ordered to go and save himself.

Further information

Grave/memorial at Grave on isolated hillside, 100 ft above road, near Ross, New Zealand. Headstone. In early 2005 the headstone was restored by a donation from the descendants of Samuel and Agnes and with financial assistance from the Royal New Zealand Navy. The restored headstone was dedicated in a ceremony held at the Ross Cemetery on Sunday, 13 February 2005 attended by approximately 40 people.

The medal

A replica of the medal is displayed in the Hokitika Museum.

External links

* [http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~Sxmitch/Index.html Samuel Mitchell and the Victoria Cross] "(extremely informative site on his whole life and the VC action)"