John Alexander Sinton
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John Alexander Sinton (VC, OBE, FRS) (2 December 1884–25 March 1956) was born in Canada into a family of Quaker linen manufacturers, however lived all of his life, and was educated in, Northern Ireland, he was a 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.
He was 31 years old, and a captain in the Indian Medical Service, Indian Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 21 January 1916 at Orah Ruins, Mesopotamia, Captain Sinton attended to the wounded under very heavy fire and although he was shot through both arms and through the side he refused to go to hospital, remaining on duty as long as daylight lasted. In three previous actions he had also displayed the utmost bravery. He later achieved the rank of Brigadier.
He is the only person to have had the letters VC, FRS (Fellow of the Royal Society) following their name.
In later life he served as Deputy Lord Lieutenant for County Tyrone, Northern Ireland
He is considered Irish and a cousin of physisist Ernest Walton.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Army Medical Services Museum (Aldershot, England).
A student housing block was named in his honour at Queen's University, Belfast, it is known as Sinton Halls.
[edit] References
- Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
[edit] External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland)
- Brigadier J.A. Sinton
- Genealogy of Jack Sinton
This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.
