- Extract of an entry
found in the National Archives
-
Click to enlarge
John Lyons VC (1823-1867)
John Lyons born Carlow in 1823 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.
He was approx. 32 years old, and a Private in the 19th Regiment
(later The Yorkshire Regiment - Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own),
British Army during the Crimean War when the following deed took place
for which he was awarded the VC.
On 10 June 1855 at Sebastopol, in the Crimea, Private Lyons picked up
a live shell which had fallen among the guard of the trenches, and threw
it over the parapet, thus saving many lives.
He later achieved the rank of Corporal. He died Naas County Kildare20
April 1867.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Green Howards Museum
(Richmond, Yorkshire, England).
You can read more information on John Lyons here:
http://www.greenhowards.org.uk/html-files/vcgc-lyons.htm
Crimean War
John
Lucas VC (1823-1892)
John Lucas born Glasgomy Bagenalstown Co Carlow 1827 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.
He was approx. 34 years old, and a Colour-Sergeant in the 40th
Regiment (later The South Lancashire Regiment - The Prince of Wales's
Volunteers), British Army during the Taranaki Maori War, New Zealand
when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 18 March 1861 in New Zealand, Colour-Sergeant Lucas was with a
party employed as skirmishers, when they were suddenly ambushed. Three
men were wounded, two of them mortally and help was called for, but when
a relief party arrived one of them fell and a lieutenant was also
wounded. Sergeant Lucas, under heavy fire from the rebels, who were not
more than 30 yards away, immediately ran to the assistance of the
officer and sent a man with him to the rear. He then took charge of the
arms, belonging to the killed and wounded until the arrival of support
troops.
He later achieved the rank of Sergeant-Major. He died in Dublin 29
February 1892.
James Thomas Byford
McCudden
V.C., D.S.O. & Bar, M.C. and Bar, M.M.,
(1895-1918)
- James McCudden pictured in the Daily Mail on
Monday 7th January 1918 when he was given the
Victoria Cross in 1918
|
James Thomas Byford McCudden, V.C., D.S.O. & Bar, M.C. and Bar,
M.M., Croix de Guerre (France) Maj. Royal Air Force 9-7-1918 age 23
William McCudden, Srg. Royal Flying Corp 2-5-1915 age 24
John Anthony McCudden, 2 Lt., Royal Flying Corp 18-3-1918 age 20
3
Sons of William & Amelia McCudden (nee Byford) of "Pitlochry", 37
Burton Road, Kingston-on-Thames, London.. The reason for the claim
to Carlow is that their father was born in Carlow (Sergeant-Major
William H. McCudden and his wife Amelia) and at the time of his sons
birth's, they were based in England. So by mishap in the fathers
posting they were born away from Carlow, so it is a good claim as a
third Victoria Cross for Carlow and Ireland in general.
McCudden died in a flying accident and not in combat. On July 9th
1918, his aeroplane suffered engine failure after taking off and he
was killed in the accident.
Major James McCudden was credited with 57 in World War One. His
final tally of medals also included a Distinguished Service Order
(DSO) and a bar to his Military Cross. Combined with his VC and MM,
McCudden was one of the most decorated combatants of World War One.
The McCudden family also hold the sad record of most KIA from the
same family of Ireland in the Great War.
Source: Mr Terry c2007
- In 1910, James McCudden joined his father in the Royal Engineers as a
15 year old bugler. By the time war was declared, he was an aircraft
mechanic with 3 Squadron in the Royal Flying Corps. One of three
brothers to serve with the RFC, he saw combat in France as an observer
and gunner before returning to England for flight training in 1916. His
talents as a pilot were so extraordinary that he became an instructor
within days of receiving his aviator's certificate. By the beginning of
April 1918, 22 year old James McCudden was the most decorated pilot in
the Royal Air Force. Sadly, he was killed three months later when his
aircraft stalled after take off and crashed to the ground.
James McCudden was born in Gillingham, Kent to ex-Sergeant-Major
William H. McCudden and his wife Two of his brothers Willie
(killed in 1915) and John (killed in 1918) also served in the Royal
Flying Corps and became an ace before his death in 1918..
http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/mccudden1.php and his
brother
http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/mccudden2.php
http://www.kentfallen.com/PDF%20REPORTS/McCUDDEN%20VC.pdf
