John Augustus Conolly

Lieutenant Colonel John Augustus Conolly VC (30 May 1829 – 23 December 1888), born in Celbridge, County Kildare, Ireland, 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.

John Augustus Conolly
Depiction of the Siege of Sebastopol
Born30 May 1829
Celbridge, County Kildare
Died23 December 1888 (aged 59)
Curragh, County Kildare
Buried
Mount Jerome Cemetery, Dublin
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
RankLieutenant Colonel
Unit49th Regiment of Foot
Coldstream Guards
Battles/warsCrimean War
AwardsVictoria Cross

Early life and education

Conolly was a younger son of Edward Michael Conolly (an MP), by his wife Catherine Jane, daughter of Chambré Brabazon Ponsonby-Barker (also an MP).[1] He was born in Ireland and educated in England at King Edward's School, Birmingham.

Award

Conolly was 25 years old, and a lieutenant in the 49th Regiment of Foot, British Army during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 26 October 1854 at Sebastopol, the Crimea, an attack by the Russians was repulsed and the enemy fell back pursued by men of the 49th Regiment, led by Lieutenant Conolly, whose gallant behaviour was most conspicuous in this action. He ultimately fell, dangerously wounded, while in personal encounter with several Russians, in defence of his post.[2]

Later life

Conolly eventually achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel. He died in Curragh, County Kildare, on 23 December 1888 and is buried in Mount Jerome Cemetery.

Personal life

Conolly married Ida Charlotte, a daughter of Edwyn Burnaby, by whom he had several children.[1] His son, John Richard Arthur Conolly, was a member of parliament in Western Australia.[3][4]

Medal

Conolly's Victoria Cross is on display at the Guards Museum, London.

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References
  1. "Person Page 32092". Thepeerage.com. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  2. "No. 21997". The London Gazette. 5 May 1857. p. 1579.
  3. John Richard Arthur Conolly – Biographical Register of Members of the Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  4. "J. R. A. CONOLLY, J.P., M.L.A.", The W.A. Record (Perth, Western Australia), 15 December 1900.

Listed in order of publication year

  • The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
  • Clarke, Brian D. H. (1986). "A register of awards to Irish-born officers and men". The Irish Sword. XVI (64): 185–287.
  • Ireland's VCs (Dept of Economic Development, 1995)
  • Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
  • Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
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