John Alexander (VC)

John Alexander VC (died 24 September 1857) was a British Army soldier and an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to a member of the British and Commonwealth forces.

John Alexander
Depiction of the Siege of Sebastopol
BornMullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland
Died24 September 1857
Alumbagh, Lucknow, British India
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branchBritish Army
RankPrivate
Unit90th Perthshire Light Infantry
Battles/warsCrimean War
Indian Mutiny
AwardsVictoria Cross
Médaille Militaire (France)

Born in Mullingar, County Westmeath, Alexander was a private in the 90th Perthshire Light Infantry (later known as The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)), during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:

On 18 June 1855 after the attack on the Redan at Sebastopol, Alexander went out from the trenches under very heavy fire and brought in several wounded men. On 6 September, when he was with a working party in the most advanced trench, he went out under heavy fire and helped to bring in a captain who was severely wounded.[1]

He was later killed in action during the Siege of Lucknow during the Indian Mutiny in British India on 24 September 1857.

The medal

Private Alexander's Victoria Cross is displayed at the National War Museum of Scotland at Edinburgh Castle in Scotland.[2]

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References
  1. "No. 21971". The London Gazette. 24 February 1857. p. 661.
  2. Location of John Alexander's Victoria Cross, "National War Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh"
  • Burial in Lucknow, India
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