Francis Fitzpatrick (VC)
Francis Fitzpatrick | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1859 Tullycorbet, County Monaghan |
| Died | 10 July 1933 (aged c74) Glasgow, Scotland |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service |  British Army |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit | 94th Regiment of Foot |
| Wars | Campaign against Sekukuni |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
Francis Fitzpatrick VC (born in Tullycorbet, County Monaghan in 1859 – 10 July 1933) 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.
Military career
[edit]He was about 20 years old, and a Private in the 94th Regiment of Foot (later The Connaught Rangers), British Army during the campaign against Sekukuni when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 28 November 1879 during an attack on Sekukuni's Town, South Africa, Private Fitzpatrick and another private (Thomas Flawn) with six men of the Native Contingent, were with a lieutenant of the 1st Dragoon Guards when he was badly wounded. The natives carried the wounded officer at first, but when the party was pursued by about 30 of the enemy they deserted and the lieutenant would have been killed but for the gallantry of the two privates - one carrying him and the other covering the retreat and firing on the enemy.[1]
Later life
[edit]Fitzpatrick died in Glasgow, Scotland, on 10 July 1933. He was buried at St Kentigern's Cemetery, Glasgow[2]
The medal
[edit]His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Army Museum (Chelsea, England).
References
[edit]- ^ "No. 24814". The London Gazette. 24 February 1880. p. 832.
- ^ Location of grave and VC medal (Glasgow)
Listed in order of publication year
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
- Clarke, Brian D. H. (1986). "A register of awards to Irish-born officers and men". The Irish Sword. XVI (64): 185–287.
- Ireland's VCs (Dept of Economic Development, 1995)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
External links
[edit]- Spink auction of his medals Archived 25 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- Location of grave and VC medal (Glasgow)
- 1859 births
- 1933 deaths
- Military personnel from County Monaghan
- Irish recipients of the Victoria Cross
- Connaught Rangers soldiers
- People from County Monaghan
- People of the Sekukuni Campaign
- Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders soldiers
- British Army personnel of the Second Boer War
- British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross