Thomas Monaghan

Thomas Monaghan VC (18 October 1833 - 10 November 1895) was a Welsh 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 24 years old, and a trumpeter in the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 8 October 1858 at Jamo, near Sundeela, Oudh, India, a group of mutineers (30 to 40 in number) suddenly opened fire on the officer commanding the regiment and his party, and then rushed upon them with drawn swords. In the fighting which ensued the colonel was cut down by two sword cuts, and Trumpeter Monaghan and a dragoon (Charles Anderson) immediately came to his rescue, shooting one of the assailants and driving at others with swords, enabling the colonel to rise and defend himself, until the enemy were despatched.

Further information

He later achieved the rank of sergeant-trumpeter.

He was born at Abergavenny, Monmouthshire.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Queen's Dragoon Guards Regimental Museum "(Cardiff, Wales, Wales)".

External links

* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/lonseast.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(S.E. London)"