Francis Wheatley (soldier)
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Francis Wheatley VC, DCM (1821 – 21 May 1865) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, which he won for his actions during the Crimean War. It is 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 born in the Ruddington suburb of Nottingham, England. His father was a frame work knitter, a trade which Francis took up before joining the army. He was enlisted at Daventry on 5 November 1839 (for a bounty of £3.17s.6d) into the First Battalion Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own).
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[edit] Medals
He won his Victoria Cross in the Crimean War on October 12, 1854. The day before winning the VC he won the Distinguished Conduct Medal. His other medals are:
- Crimea War medal with 3 clasps
- Turkish War Medal
- French Legion of Honour
- Good Conduct Medal
- South Africa Medal
- Long Service Medal
[edit] Citation
The citation reads: On 12 October 1854 Wheatley and some other Riflemen were occupying a section of the trenches before Sevastopol when a live Russian shell fell amongst the men. Without hesitation Wheatley seized hold of the shell and endeavoured to knock the fuse out with the butt of his rifle. He was unsuccessful at the first attempt and so, with great presence of mind and deliberation he managed somehow to heave it over the parapet of the trench. It had scarcely fallen outside when it exploded. Had it not been for his coolness, presence of mind and supreme courage and discipline, the shell would have inevitably exploded amongst the party causing serious casualties, but instead not a man was hurt.
His VC was presented by Queen Victoria in person at the first investiture at Hyde Park, London on 26 June 1857.
[edit] The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Green Jackets Museum (Winchester, England).
[edit] Death
He died on 21 May 1865 at Westminster Hospital, London from acute myelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord) and asphyxia. He was buried in a common grave in Brompton Cemetery, on which a memorial has now been placed. His medals are on view at the Royal Green Jackets museum and his name is on the memorial in Winchester Cathedral.
[edit] References
- List of English Victoria Cross recipients
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
[edit] External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (Brompton Cemetery)
