Frederick Whirlpool

Rescued wounded men in two actions under intense enemy fire.

Frederick Whirlpool joined the East India Company's army at Glasgow in October 1855 and reached Bombay in March 1856. He served as a private in the 3rd Bombay European Regiment. He reached India shortly before the uprising that transformed his service into a succession of demanding operations in Central India.

In December 1857 his regiment joined Sir Hugh Rose's Central India Field Force. Whirlpool took part in operations at Ratgarh, Saugor and Barodia before the assault on Jhansi. On 3 April 1858 he twice went into exposed positions to carry away wounded men and the bodies of comrades. These efforts were made under heavy fire during bitter fighting for the city.

His second Victoria Cross action occurred at Lohari in May. Lieutenant Doune had become separated from his men and suffered numerous wounds. Whirlpool went to his assistance and helped bring him away, receiving a severe wound to his own neck. The injuries ended his effective campaigning career. He was invalided from service in 1859, although his formal discharge followed in 1861.

Whirlpool emigrated to Australia and lived in Victoria before settling in New South Wales. On 20 June 1861 Lady Barkly presented his Victoria Cross in Melbourne, making him the first recipient to receive the decoration on Australian soil. He worked for a time as a teacher, but later withdrew increasingly from public life. Attempts to establish a more settled livelihood were unsuccessful, and he became known locally as a solitary man.

He died at McGraths Hill, near Windsor, on 24 June 1899; his body was found two days later. He was buried in an unmarked grave. His surviving medals preserve evidence of his Central India service as well as the conspicuous rescues for which he received the Victoria Cross.

Victoria Cross citation: For gallantly volunteering on the 3rd of April, 1858, in the attack on Jhansi, to return and carry away several killed and wounded, which he did twice under a very heavy fire from the wall; also, for devoted bravery at the Assault of Lohari, on the 2nd of May, 1858, in rushing to the rescue of Lieutenant Doune, of the Regiment, who was dangerously wounded. In this service, Private Whirlpool received seventeen desperate wounds, one of which nearly severed his head from his body. The gallant example shewn by this man is considered to have greatly contributed to the success of the day.

The London Gazette of 21 October 1859, Numb. 22318, p. 3793