John Alexander Sinton

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Brigadier John Alexander Sinton VC, OBE, FRS, MB (2 December 1884–25 March 1956) was a Northern Irish doctor, scientist and soldier.

Although born in Canada into a family of Quaker linen manufacturers, he 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. He was appointed the first director of the malaria survey of India at Kasauli in 1925 where he worked with Sir S. R. Christophers.

On 21 January 1916 at the 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 his retirement he served as Deputy Lord Lieutenant for County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Brigadier Sinton was a cousin of physicist Ernest Walton. A student housing block was named in his honour at Queen's University, Belfast (where he was Pro-Chancellor), it is known as Sinton Halls.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Army Medical Services Museum (Aldershot, England).