Edward William Derrington Bell

He seized an enemy gun amid the deadly assault on Alma Hill.

Edward William Derrington Bell entered the 23rd Regiment, the Royal Welch Fusiliers, in 1842 and was a captain during the Crimean War. His regiment fought in the assault on the Russian positions above the River Alma on 20 September 1854.

During the advance Bell took possession of a Russian gun and led men forward through fierce opposition. His Victoria Cross recognised this conduct at the Alma; the award was announced in 1857 and presented by Queen Victoria in 1858. He also fought at Inkerman and during the siege of Sevastopol, and his campaign service brought British, French and Ottoman honours.

Bell subsequently served during the Indian rebellion, earning the Indian Mutiny Medal with the Lucknow clasp. He commanded the re-formed 2nd Battalion from 1858 to 1869, serving in Malta, Gibraltar and Canada. He became a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1867 and major-general in 1875, commanding the Belfast District until his death. He died in Belfast on 10 November 1879 and was buried at St Mary's, Kempsey, Worcestershire.

Official Victoria Cross citation: Recommended for his gallantry, more particularly at the Battle of the Alma, where he was the first to seize upon and capture one of the enemy's guns, which was limbered up, and being carried off. He, moreover, succeeded to the command of that gallant Regiment which he brought out of action; all his Senior Officers having been killed or wounded.