William Fraser McDonell VC
Name: William Fraser McDonell
Conflict: Indian Mutiny
Gazetted: February 17, 1860
Service: Civilian – Bengal Civil Service
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William Fraser McDonell VC
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Medal group
Place/date of birth: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire/December 17, 1829
Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): N/A
Date of bravery: July 30, 1857
London Gazette citation:
Mr. William Fraser McDonell, of the Bengal Civil Service, Magistrate of Sarun. Date of Act of Bravery, 30th July, 1857.
For great coolness and bravery on the 30th of July, 1857, during the retreat of the British Troops from Arrah, in having climbed, under an incessant fire, outside the Boat in which he and several Soldiers were, up to the rudder, and with considerable difficulty cut through the lashing which secured it to the side of the boat. On the lashing being cut, the boat obeyed the helm, and thus thirty-five European Soldiers escaped certain death.
Click here to see full Gazette entry.
Other decorations: N/A
Place/date of death: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire/July 31, 1894
Grave/memorials: St Peter’s Churchyard, Leckhampton, Gloucestershire
Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased from the Spink List, 2000
Current location of VC: Displayed on rotation at The Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, Imperial War Museum