Indian Mutiny Victoria Cross Recipient. A native of Ireland, he received the award in India sometime in 1858 for his actions as a gunner in the Bengal Horse Artillery, British Bengal Army, on September 28, 1857 at Bolundshadur, India during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Born in St. Finbar, Cork County, Ireland, he worked as a carpenter before enlisting in the Bengal Horse Artillery in December 1851 and was sent to British India the following year. He remained in India following the end of the Rebellion and transferred to the Royal Horse Artillery in 1861. He is presumed to have died in India around 1884, at the age of 53. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "Sergeant Bernard Diamond & Gunner Richard Fitzgerald, 2nd Troop, 3rd Brigade, Bengal Horse Artillery. For an act of valour performed in action against the rebels and mutineers at Bolundshadur, on the 28th September 1857, when these two soldiers evinced the most determined bravery in working their gun under a very heavy fire of musketry, whereby they cleared the road of the enemy, after every other man belonging to it had been either killed of disabled by wounds." His Victoria Cross and Indian Mutiny Medal are retained by the Bristol Museum in Bristol, England.
Indian Mutiny Victoria Cross Recipient. A native of Ireland, he received the award in India sometime in 1858 for his actions as a gunner in the Bengal Horse Artillery, British Bengal Army, on September 28, 1857 at Bolundshadur, India during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Born in St. Finbar, Cork County, Ireland, he worked as a carpenter before enlisting in the Bengal Horse Artillery in December 1851 and was sent to British India the following year. He remained in India following the end of the Rebellion and transferred to the Royal Horse Artillery in 1861. He is presumed to have died in India around 1884, at the age of 53. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "Sergeant Bernard Diamond & Gunner Richard Fitzgerald, 2nd Troop, 3rd Brigade, Bengal Horse Artillery. For an act of valour performed in action against the rebels and mutineers at Bolundshadur, on the 28th September 1857, when these two soldiers evinced the most determined bravery in working their gun under a very heavy fire of musketry, whereby they cleared the road of the enemy, after every other man belonging to it had been either killed of disabled by wounds." His Victoria Cross and Indian Mutiny Medal are retained by the Bristol Museum in Bristol, England.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
Advertisement
