Patrick McHale
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Patrick McHale VC (1826- 26 October 1866) was born in Killala, County Mayo and was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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[edit] Details
He was approximately 31 years old, and a private in the 1st Battalion, 5th Regiment of Foot (later The Northumberland Fusiliers) British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 2 October 1857 at Lucknow, India, Private McHale was the first man at the capture of one of the guns at the Cawnpore Battery. On 22 December he was the first to take possession of one of the guns which had sent several rounds of grape through his company. On every occasion of attack Private McHale was the first to meet the enemy, amongst whom he caused such consternation by the boldness of his attack that those who followed him had little to do. His daring and sustained bravery became a byword among his comrades.
[edit] Further information
He died Shorncliff, Kent, 26 October 1866. Grave/memorial: Buried at Shorncliffe Military Cemetery, near Folkestone, Kent, England. Section I - Upper Right. Headstone.
[edit] The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Fusiliers Museum of Northumberland (Alnwick, Northumberland, England).
[edit] References
Listed in order of publication year
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
- The Irish Sword (Brian Clarke 1986)
- Irelands VCs ISBN 1-899243-00-3 (Dept of Economic Development 1995)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
