Carlow’s V.C. WinnersCarlow’s V.C. Winners

ByBy Jake Duggan ofJake Duggan of

Co.Carlow Military MuseumCo.Carlow Military Museum

What is the V.C.?What is the V.C.?

The V.C or Victoria cross is the highest , The V.C or Victoria cross is the highest , most prestigious award for bravery , most prestigious award for bravery , awarded to any soldier , seaman or airman awarded to any soldier , seaman or airman that is a member of the British military.that is a member of the British military.

Carlow’s V.C’sCarlow’s V.C’s

Carlow has 2 V.C.’s received by Carlow has 2 V.C.’s received by men born and bred in this men born and bred in this county.county.

They are John Lyons and John They are John Lyons and John Lucas.Lucas.

John Lyons John Lyons

John Lyons who was born in Carlow John Lyons who was born in Carlow (1823) , was awarded the Victory (1823) , was awarded the Victory Cross for his actions at Sevastopol in Cross for his actions at Sevastopol in the Crimea , his sightation reads : the Crimea , his sightation reads : On 10 June 1855 at Sevastopol, in On 10 June 1855 at Sevastopol, in the Crimea, Private Lyons picked up the Crimea, Private Lyons picked up a live shell which had fallen among a live shell which had fallen among the guard of the trenches, and threw the guard of the trenches, and threw it over the parapet, thus saving many it over the parapet, thus saving many lives. lives.

John Lyons John Lyons

John died in Naas Co. Kildare on the John died in Naas Co. Kildare on the 20th of April 1867 (to this day we do 20th of April 1867 (to this day we do not know where his exact grave is). not know where his exact grave is). This picture is his death-mask, as This picture is his death-mask, as just before burial a local just before burial a local photographer wanted a picture , his photographer wanted a picture , his family "propped" him up on a chair family "propped" him up on a chair with full uniform and medals. with full uniform and medals.

John Lyons Pictures:John Lyons Pictures:

The last picture of John , he is actually dead in this photo.

Painting depicting Johns actions for which he would receive the V.C.

John Lucas John Lucas

John Lucas (Colour Sergeant, John Lucas (Colour Sergeant, 40th Regiment) was Carlow's 40th Regiment) was Carlow's Second recipient of the V.C. Second recipient of the V.C. was born in Clashganny , Borris was born in Clashganny , Borris in the year 1826 He was one of in the year 1826 He was one of only two men to receive the V.C. only two men to receive the V.C. for actions in the Taranaki-Maori for actions in the Taranaki-Maori War, New Zealand (c.1860- War, New Zealand (c.1860- 1861) 1861)

John LucasJohn Lucas

His sightation reads: "18 March 1861 - His sightation reads: "18 March 1861 - Near the Huirangi Bush in New Zealand , Near the Huirangi Bush in New Zealand , he was one of a party of skirmishers he was one of a party of skirmishers ambushed by Maoris. Under heavy fire, he ambushed by Maoris. Under heavy fire, he ran to assist a wounded lieutenant and ran to assist a wounded lieutenant and sent him to the rear. He collected the arms sent him to the rear. He collected the arms of the dead and wounded and, taking post of the dead and wounded and, taking post behind a tree, returned enemy fire for behind a tree, returned enemy fire for fifteen minutes until support arrived."fifteen minutes until support arrived."

John LucasJohn Lucas

John Died on the 4th of March John Died on the 4th of March 1892 , Dublin and is buried in 1892 , Dublin and is buried in St.Jame's churchyard. (Grave St.Jame's churchyard. (Grave not marked)not marked)

John Lucas pictures:John Lucas pictures:

More info.More info.

www.carlowmilitarymuseum.webs.comwww.carlowmilitarymuseum.webs.com militarymuseum@live.iemilitarymuseum@live.ie Symbol of courage :- book on the V.C.Symbol of courage :- book on the V.C. http://www.facebook.com/carlowmilitarymushttp://www.facebook.com/carlowmilitarymus

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