Joseph Charles Brennan VC

Name: Joseph Charles Brennan

Conflict: Indian Mutiny

Gazetted: November 11, 1859

Service: Army

Place/date of birth: St Columb, Cornwall/circa 1836

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): Bombardier (Sergeant)

Date of bravery: April 3, 1858

London Gazette citation:

Bombardier Joseph Brennan, Royal Artillery

For marked gallantry at the assault of Jhansi, on the 3rd of April, 1858, in bringing up two guns of the Hyderabad Contingent, manned by Natives, lying (sic) each under a heavy fire from the walls, and directing them so accurately as to compel the Enemy to abandon his battery.

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Other decorations: N/A

Place/date of death: Shorncliffe, Folkestone, Kent/September 24, 1872

Grave/memorials: Headstone, erected 1995, Shorncliffe Military Cemetery, Kent; Royal Artillery Memorial, Woolwich, London

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased privately, 2023

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