John Smith VC

Name: John Smith

Conflict: Indian Mutiny

Gazetted: April 27, 1858

Service: Indian Army

Place/date of birth: Ticknell, Derbyshire/February 1814

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): Sergeant (Ensign and Barrack Master)

Date of bravery: September 14, 1857

London Gazette citation:

Sergeant John Smith, Bengal Sappers & Miners

For conspicuous gallantry, in conjunction with Lieutenants Home and Salkeld, in the performance of the desperate duty of blowing in the Cashmere Gate of the Fortress of Delhi in broad daylight, under a heavy and destructive fire of musketry, on the morning 14^th September, 1857, preparatory to the assault.

Click here to see full Gazette entry.

Other decorations: N/A

Place/date of death: Jullundur, India/June 26, 1864

Grave/memorials: New gravestone in the Artillery Cemetery, Jullundur, erected in 2006; name on memorial stone at Kashmir Gate, Delhi

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased at auction, Morton & Eden, 2020

Current location of VC: Displayed on rotation at The Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, Imperial War Museum