Henry MacDonald VC (28 May 1823 – 15 February 1893) was a Scottish 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.
Henry MacDonald | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 28 May 1823 Inverness, Scotland |
| Died | 15 February 1893 (aged 69) Glasgow, Scotland |
| Buried | Western Necropolis, Glasgow |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service |  British Army |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | Royal Engineers |
| Battles / wars | Crimean War |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Distinguished Conduct Medal Légion d'honneur (France) |
Details
editMacDonald was 31 years old, and a colour sergeant in the Corps of Royal Engineers, British Army during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 19 April 1855 at Sebastopol, Crimea, Colour-Sergeant MacDonald acted with great gallantry when engaged in effecting a lodgement in the enemy's rifle-pits in front of the left advance of the Right Attack. Subsequently, when the Engineer officers were badly wounded Colour-Sergeant MacDonald took command and he determinedly persisted in carrying on the sap notwithstanding the repeated attacks of the enemy.[1]
Further information
editHe later achieved the rank of honorary captain.
The medal
editThis medal is now in the care of Glasgow Museums and is in open storage at the Glasgow Museums Resource Centre, 200 Woodhead Road, Glasgow. These stores are open to the public with daily tours and the medal can be viewed on request.
References
edit- ^ "No. 22149". The London Gazette. 4 June 1858. p. 2757.
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- The Sapper VCs (Gerald Napier, 1998)
- Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)
External links
edit- Royal Engineers Museum Sappers VCs
- Location of grave and VC medal (Glasgow)
- Glasgow Museums Resource Centre Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine