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Philip Smith VC (1829 – 16 January 1906) 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
He was 26 years old, and a corporal in the 17th Regiment (later the Leicestershire Regiment), British Army during the
Commonwealth
A commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has been synonymous with "republic". The noun "commonwealth", meaning "public welfare, general good or advantage", dates from the ...
forces.
Details
He was 26 years old, and a corporal in the 17th Regiment (later the Leicestershire Regiment), British Army during the Siege of Sebastopol
A siege is a military blockade of a city, or fortress, with the intent of conquering by attrition warfare, attrition, or a well-prepared assault. This derives from la, sedere, lit=to sit. Siege warfare is a form of constant, low-intensity con ...
in the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
For repeatedly going out in the front of the advanced trenches against the Great Redan, on the 18th June, 1855, under a very heavy fire, after the column had retired from the assault, and bringing in wounded comrades.
Further information
Having achieved the rank oflance sergeant
Lance sergeant (LSgt or L/Sgt) is an appointment in the armies of the Commonwealth and formerly also a rank in the United States Army.
Commonwealth
Lance-sergeant in the armies of the Commonwealth was an appointment given to a corporal so they ...
, he was later reduced to the ranks and when discharged he was a private. He died at Harolds Cross, Dublin on 16 January 1906 and was buried at Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin.
The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Museum of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment now housed in theNewarke Houses Museum
The Newarke Houses Museum is a public museum in Leicester, England. It incorporates the museum of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment, and has a range of exhibits illustrating post-medieval and contemporary Leicester. The museum is close to the 15 ...
, Leicester
Leicester ( ) is a city status in the United Kingdom, city, Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority and the county town of Leicestershire in the East Midlands of England. It is the largest settlement in the East Midlands.
The city l ...
, England.
References
Further reading
*'' The Register of the Victoria Cross'' (1981, 1988 and 1997) * *'' 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) {{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Philip 1829 births 1906 deaths 19th-century Irish people Irish soldiers in the British Army Irish recipients of the Victoria Cross British Army personnel of the Crimean War Crimean War recipients of the Victoria Cross Royal Leicestershire Regiment soldiers People from County Cavan Burials at Glasnevin Cemetery British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross Military personnel from County Cavan