Crimean War Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Somerset, England, he served as a Lieutenant in the British Royal Navy. On August 9, 1854, the British Fleet lay off the Island of Wardo, in the Baltic Sea and Lieutenant Bythesea was the officer of the watch on HMS Arrogant. Having received information that an Aide-de-Camp of the Emperor of Russia had landed on the Island of Wardo, in charge of mail and dispatches for the Russian General, Lieutenant Bythesea with the assistance of a Stoker obtained permission to go a shore with the purpose to intercept them. Being disguised and well armed, they concealed themselves till the night of the August 12th, when the mail-bags were landed accompanied by a military escort. Lieutenant Bythesea with the Stoker attacked the five men in charge of the mail and took three of them prisoners, They brought them back on board the HMS Arrogant, with the dispatches intended for the Russian General. For gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was promoted Commander and vested the Victoria Cross by Queen Victoria in Hyde Park, on June 26, 1857. Remaining in the Royal Navy, he was appointed as Consulting Naval Officer to the Indian Government in 1874. He retired a Rear Admiral in 1877 and was awarded the Companion of the Bath and Companion of the Indian Empire in 1878. He died at age 78 in South Kensington, England.
Crimean War Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Somerset, England, he served as a Lieutenant in the British Royal Navy. On August 9, 1854, the British Fleet lay off the Island of Wardo, in the Baltic Sea and Lieutenant Bythesea was the officer of the watch on HMS Arrogant. Having received information that an Aide-de-Camp of the Emperor of Russia had landed on the Island of Wardo, in charge of mail and dispatches for the Russian General, Lieutenant Bythesea with the assistance of a Stoker obtained permission to go a shore with the purpose to intercept them. Being disguised and well armed, they concealed themselves till the night of the August 12th, when the mail-bags were landed accompanied by a military escort. Lieutenant Bythesea with the Stoker attacked the five men in charge of the mail and took three of them prisoners, They brought them back on board the HMS Arrogant, with the dispatches intended for the Russian General. For gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was promoted Commander and vested the Victoria Cross by Queen Victoria in Hyde Park, on June 26, 1857. Remaining in the Royal Navy, he was appointed as Consulting Naval Officer to the Indian Government in 1874. He retired a Rear Admiral in 1877 and was awarded the Companion of the Bath and Companion of the Indian Empire in 1878. He died at age 78 in South Kensington, England.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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