Henry MacDonald

For those of a similar name, see Henry McDonald (disambiguation) and Harry MacDonald (disambiguation).

Henry MacDonald
Born	28 May 1823 Inverness, Scotland
Died	15 February 1893 (aged 69) Glasgow, Scotland
Buried	Western Necropolis, Glasgow
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service / branch	British Army
Rank	Captain
Unit	Royal Engineers
Battles / wars	Crimean War
Awards	Victoria Cross Distinguished Conduct Medal Légion d'honneur (France)

Henry MacDonald VC (28 May 1823 – 15 February 1893) was a Scottish 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.

Details

MacDonald was 31 years old, and a colour sergeant in the Corps of Royal Engineers, British Army during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 19 April 1855 at Sebastopol, Crimea, Colour-Sergeant MacDonald acted with great gallantry when engaged in effecting a lodgement in the enemy's rifle-pits in front of the left advance of the Right Attack. Subsequently, when the Engineer officers were badly wounded Colour-Sergeant MacDonald took command and he determinedly persisted in carrying on the sap notwithstanding the repeated attacks of the enemy.

Further information

He later achieved the rank of honorary captain.

The medal

This medal is now in the care of Glasgow Museums and is in open storage at the Glasgow Museums Resource Centre, 200 Woodhead Road, Glasgow. These stores are open to the public with daily tours and the medal can be viewed on request.

References

• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• The Sapper VCs (Gerald Napier, 1998)
• Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)

External links

• Royal Engineers Museum Sappers VCs
• Location of grave and VC medal (Glasgow)
• Glasgow Museums Resource Centre Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine