George Gardiner - Definition

George Gardiner (VC, DCM) 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 approx. 34 years old, and a Sergeant in the 57th Regiment (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 from whence they were able to keep up a continuous fire until their ammunition was exhausted, and the enemy cleared away from the parapet.

Further information

He later achieved the rank of Colour-Sergeant.

The medal

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

Reference

• Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
• Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)

See also

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/ireland.htm) (Co. Donegal, Ireland)
• The Middlesex Regiment 1755-1966 (http://www.prole.demon.co.uk/Middlesex/middlesx.htm) (detailed history of the original "Die Hards")

This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference (http://www.victoriacross.net) with permission.