Lord William Beresford

For other people named William Beresford, see William Beresford (disambiguation).
Lord William Beresford
Born 20 July 1847
Mullaghbrack, County Armagh
Died 30 December 1900 (aged 53)
Dorking, Surrey
Buried at Clonagem Churchyard, County Waterford
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Rank Lieutenant-Colonel
Unit 9th Queen's Royal Lancers
Battles/wars Anglo-Zulu War
Awards Victoria Cross
Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire

Lieutenant-Colonel Lord William Leslie de la Poer Beresford VC KCIE (20 July 1847 – 30 December 1900) born Mullaghbrack, County Armagh, Ireland 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.

The son of John de La Poer Beresford, 4th Marquess of Waterford, Beresford was 31 years old, and a captain in the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers, British Army during the Zulu War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 3 July 1879 at Ulundi, Zululand, South Africa, during the retirement of a reconnoitring party, Captain Lord William Beresford went to the assistance of Sergeant Fitzmaurice of the 24th Regiment, whose horse had fallen and rolled on him. The Zulus were coming in great numbers, but Lord William, with help from Sergeant Edmund O'Toole of the Frontier Light Horse.,[1] managed to mount the injured man behind him. He was, however, so dizzy that Sergeant O'Toole, who had been keeping back the advancing Zulus, gave up his carbine and, riding alongside, helped to hold him on until they reached safety.[2]

Initially the VC was only awarded to Beresford but he told the Queen that O'Toole also deserved to receive the VC

Her Majesty pinning it on to the hero's breast, but not before he had explained to his Queen he could not in honour receive recognition of any services he had been able to perform, unless Sergeant O'Toole's services were also recognised, as he deserved infinitely greater credit than any that might attach to himself. The Queen, appreciating this generosity and soldierly honesty, bestowed the reward also on Sergeant Edmund OToole of Baker's Horse, and Lord William was satisfied. [3]

He later achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel and died at Deepdene, Dorking, Surrey 30 December 1900 from perotinitis.

References

  1. ^ London Gazette: no. 24769. p. 5830. 10 October 1879. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
  2. ^ London Gazette: no. 24760. p. 5395. 9 Sept 1879. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
  3. ^ Lord William Beresford, v. c.; some memories of a famous sportsman, soldier and wit (1917)

Bibliography

Listed in order of year of publication

External links