Charles Irwin
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Charles Irwin (1824-April 8, 1873) (VC) was born in Manorhamilton, County Leitrim 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 approximately 33 years old, and a private in the 53rd Regiment of Foot (later The King's Shropshire Light Infantry), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 16 November 1857 at Lucknow, India, Private Irwin showed conspicuous bravery at the assault on the Secundra Bagh when, although severely wounded through the right shoulder, he was one of the first to enter the building under heavy fire.
[edit] Further information
Elected by the regiment.
Service Record: 3168 53rd Shropshire Regiment, (Later) 580 7th Regiment (R.I.F.), in 87th Foot between Jan 1860 - 30 June 1860. Died: 29 March 1873 at Newtownbutler, County Fermanagh, Ireland and buried in Saint Mark's Churchyard (Aghadrumsee) Magheraveely, County Fermanagh. Gazetted: 24 December 1858.
Quote from the Canon Lummis files: "Judging from numerous entries in the muster roles as to imprisonment, he appears to have been a bad hat."
Information provided by Richard Arman (Submitted by John Corcoran, 15 July 1999)
[edit] The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the The King's Shropshire Light Infantry Museum (Shrewsbury, Shropshire, 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 ISBN 1-899243-00-3 (Dept of Economic Development 1995)
- 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 (Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland)
- Find-A-Grave
