Valentine McMaster

Valentine McMaster
Born	16 May 1834 Trichinopoly, British India
Died	22 January 1872 Belfast, Ireland
Buried	Belfast City Cemetery
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Years of service	1855 - 1872
Rank	Surgeon
Unit	78th Highlanders
Battles/wars	Anglo-Persian War Indian Mutiny Umbeyla Campaign
Awards	Victoria Cross

Surgeon Valentine Munbee McMaster VC (16 May 1834 – 22 January 1872) 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.

Details

He graduated from the University of Edinburgh Medical School with an MD and LRCSE.^[1] McMaster was 23 years old, and an assistant surgeon in the 78th Regiment of Foot (later The Seaforth Highlanders Ross-shire Buffs, Duke of Albany's) during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 25 September 1857, at the Siege of Lucknow for which he was awarded the VC:

For the intrepidity with which he exposed himself to the fire of the enemy, in bringing in, and attending to, the wounded, on the 25th of September, at Lucknow.

(Extract from Field Force Orders of the late Major-General Havelock, dated 17 October 1857.)^[2]

He later achieved the rank of surgeon.^[3] McMaster died on 22 January 1872 in Belfast, Ireland and was buried in Belfast City Cemetery. There is a memorial to his memory in St. Columb's Cathedral in Derry. His widow went on to marry Campbell Mellis Douglas VC^[4]

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National War Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle, Scotland.

References

• Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (Belfast, Northern Ireland)
• Biography