Crimean War Victoria Cross Recipient. During the Crimean War of 1854-56, he served as a Corporal in the Royal Engineers and was one of the first recipients of the Victoria Cross, as well as rising to the rank of Sergeant. This award was in recognition of no fewer than three acts of valour. Firstly, on the night of the 21st. July 1855, the Corporal was in charge of two hundred men, each of whom carried an entrenching tool and a gabion (i.e. a cylindrical basket, open at both ends, used to retain the soil of earthwork slopes. Before dawn, they had connected the fourth parallel right attack with an old Russian rifle pit. Secondly, on the 23rd. August, he was in charge of the advance from the fifth parallel right attack on the Redan (one of the principal Russian fortresses). His company placed and filled twenty-five gabions, in spite of very heavy fire. Finally, on the night of the 8th. September, he crept up to the Redan and returned to report that it had been evacuated by the Russians. Not only that, but he carried back with him a wounded British soldier. Sergeant Ross's medal is kept at the Royal Engineers' Museum, at Chatham in Kent. His grave is on the East side of Mausoleum Road, which is so small that it is not even shown on the plans of the cemetery. It is a turning off the North side of Upper Road, just behind the Islington Chapel.
Crimean War Victoria Cross Recipient. During the Crimean War of 1854-56, he served as a Corporal in the Royal Engineers and was one of the first recipients of the Victoria Cross, as well as rising to the rank of Sergeant. This award was in recognition of no fewer than three acts of valour. Firstly, on the night of the 21st. July 1855, the Corporal was in charge of two hundred men, each of whom carried an entrenching tool and a gabion (i.e. a cylindrical basket, open at both ends, used to retain the soil of earthwork slopes. Before dawn, they had connected the fourth parallel right attack with an old Russian rifle pit. Secondly, on the 23rd. August, he was in charge of the advance from the fifth parallel right attack on the Redan (one of the principal Russian fortresses). His company placed and filled twenty-five gabions, in spite of very heavy fire. Finally, on the night of the 8th. September, he crept up to the Redan and returned to report that it had been evacuated by the Russians. Not only that, but he carried back with him a wounded British soldier. Sergeant Ross's medal is kept at the Royal Engineers' Museum, at Chatham in Kent. His grave is on the East side of Mausoleum Road, which is so small that it is not even shown on the plans of the cemetery. It is a turning off the North side of Upper Road, just behind the Islington Chapel.
Bio by: Iain MacFarlaine
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