William Olpherts
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William Olpherts (VC, GCB) (8 March 1822 – 30 April 1902) was born in Dartrey, County Armagh, and 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.
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[edit] Details
He was 35 years old, and a captain in the Bengal Artillery, Indian Army during the Indian rebellion of 1857 when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 25 September 1857 at Lucknow, India, when the troops penetrated into the city, Captain Olpherts charged on horseback with the 90th Regiment when they captured two guns in the face of very heavy fire of grape. Afterwards he returned under severe fire of musketry to bring up limbers and horses to carry off the captured ordnance.
[edit] Further information
Elected by the regiment. He later achieved the rank of general. He died in Upper Norwood, London, 30 April 1902.
[edit] The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Army Museum (Chelsea, England).
[edit] References
Listed in order of publication year
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
- The Irish Sword (Brian Clarke 1986)
- Irelands VCs (Dept of Economic Development 1995), ISBN 1-899243-00-3
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
[edit] External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (Surrey)
This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.
