Andrew Fitzgibbon

He treated the wounded under deadly fire at North Taku Fort.

Andrew Fitzgibbon was born in India on 13 May 1845, the son of Quartermaster-Sergeant William Fitzgibbon and his wife Elizabeth. He entered the Bengal Subordinate Medical Service as a hospital apprentice on 5 July 1859 and sailed for China with the 67th Regiment in February 1860.

On 21 August 1860, British and French forces stormed the North Taku Forts on China’s coast during the Second China War. Fifteen-year-old Hospital Apprentice Andrew Fitzgibbon served with the Indian Medical Establishment, attached to the 67th Regiment. When the regiment took position within 500 yards of the fort, he left cover under heavy fire to bind the wound of a dhoolie-bearer. As the advance continued, he crossed the open ground again to reach another wounded man. He was severely wounded while doing so.

Fitzgibbon survived the action and received the Victoria Cross for his conduct. The London Gazette listed him as “Hospital Apprentice Arthur Fitzgibbon,” while later military and museum sources identify him as Andrew Fitzgibbon. At 15 years and three months old during the action, he is recognized by the National Army Museum as the youngest Victoria Cross recipient. He later served in India, becoming an assistant apothecary first class in January 1867 and an apothecary second class in January 1877. He married Mary Amelia Coleman at Peshawar in 1869, and they had two children. He was dismissed from service in January 1880; the reason is not established. He died at Delhi on 7 March 1883 and was buried in the Old Delhi Military Cemetery.

### Victoria Cross citation

“For having behaved with great coolness and courage at the capture of the North Taku Fort, on the 21st of August, 1860. On the morning of that day he accompanied a wing of the 67th Regiment, when it took up a position within 500 yards of the Fort. Having quitted cover, he proceeded, under a very heavy fire, to attend to a Dhoblie-bearer, whose wound he had been directed to bind up; and, while the Regiment was advancing under the Enemy’s fire, he ran across the open to attend to another wounded man, in doing which he was himself severely wounded.”

### Sources

- The London Gazette. “Victoria Cross recommendations for the assault and capture of the North Taku Fort.” No. 22538, 13 August 1861, p. 3363. - National Army Museum. “The Victoria Cross.” Section on the youngest recipient and the Second China War.