George Gardiner (VC)

For other people named George Gardiner, see George Gardiner (disambiguation).

George Gardiner VC DCM
Born	c. 1821 Warrenpoint, County Down
Died	17 November 1891 (aged 69–70) Lifford, County Donegal
Buried	Clonleigh Churchyard, Lifford
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service / branch	British Army
Rank	Colour-Sergeant
Unit	57th Regiment of Foot
Battles / wars	Crimean War New Zealand Wars
Awards	Victoria Cross Distinguished Conduct Medal Crimea medal with Balaclava, Inkermann, Sebastopol clasps New Zealand War Medal, 1860–66 Long Service & Good Conduct Medal Turkish Crimea Medal

George Gardiner VC DCM (c. 1821 – 17 November 1891) was born in Clonallon, Warrenpoint, County Down and 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.

Details

He was about 34 years old, and a sergeant in the 57th Regiment of Foot (later The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own)), British Army during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 22 March 1855 at Sebastopol, Crimea, Sergeant Gardiner acted with great gallantry upon the occasion of a sortie by the enemy, in having rallied the covering parties which had been driven in by the Russians, thus regaining the trenches. On 18 June during the attack on the Redan he himself remained and encouraged others to remain in the holes made by the explosions of the shells, and whence they were able to keep up a continuous fire until their ammunition was exhausted, and the enemy cleared away from the parapet.

He later achieved the rank of Colour-Sergeant. He died at Lifford, County Donegal, 17 November 1891. He is buried at Clonleigh Church of Ireland Churchyard, Lifford.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires) (Dover Castle, England).

References

• 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 ISBN 1-899243-00-3 (Dept of Economic Development, 1995)
• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (Co. Donegal, Ireland)
• The Middlesex Regiment 1755-1966 (detailed history of the original "Die Hards")