John Bythesea
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John Bythesea (VC, CB, CIE) was an English 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.
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He was 27 years old, and a lieutenant in the Royal Navy during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 9 August 1854 in the Baltic, Lieutenant Bythesea of HMS Arrogant obtained permission to land on the island of Vårdö, Åland Islands off Finland with a stoker (William Johnstone) from the ship, in order to intercept important despatches from the Czar which were being sent via Vårdö to Bomarsund. The two men spent two nights reconnoitring the island and on 12 August when the despatches arrived, they ambushed the five Russians carrying them. Two of the carriers dropped their mail bags and ran, but the other three surrendered and were taken back to Arrogant. In this action the officer and stoker were armed with just one pistol.
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He later achieved the rank of Rear-Admiral.
[edit] The medal
Royal Naval Museum, Portsmouth
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This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.
