Gerald Graham

Led the ladder party and brought wounded soldiers into cover

Gerald Graham was born at Acton, London, on 27 June 1831. Educated in Britain and Germany, he entered the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich and received his Royal Engineers commission in 1850. His early professional life combined engineering duties with the demands of active campaigning.

He landed in the Crimea in September 1854, fought at the Alma and Inkerman and served repeatedly in the trenches before Sevastopol. On 18 June 1855 he helped lead a ladder party in the assault on the Redan. The attack exposed the engineers to intense fire, and his work did not end when the immediate assault failed. He repeatedly ventured from the trenches to bring wounded officers and soldiers back to safety.

Graham's Victoria Cross, announced in February 1857, recognised both the determined assault leadership and those rescues. He was twice wounded during the Crimean War. British campaign medals and French and Ottoman honours also marked his service.

In 1860 he went to China, was wounded at the Taku Forts and took part in the advance to Peking. He continued rising through the Royal Engineers while gaining experience of expeditionary operations and command. During the Egyptian campaign of 1882 he led a brigade at Kassassin and Tel-el-Kebir.

As a general he commanded the eastern Sudan expedition in 1884, fighting at El Teb and Tamai. The following year he led the Suakin expedition. These operations brought further campaign clasps and senior honours, but also placed him within the difficult military and political decisions surrounding Britain's intervention in the Sudan.

Graham reached lieutenant-general in 1884 and retired from the Army in 1890. He was advanced to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in 1896, having already become a Knight Grand Cross of St Michael and St George. He remained connected to his corps and was appointed a Royal Engineers colonel-commandant in 1899. Married to Jane Durrant, he enjoyed golf and chess in civilian life. He died at Bideford, Devon, on 17 December 1899.

Official Victoria Cross citation (London Gazette, 24 February 1857):

Determined gallantry at the head of a ladder party, at the assault of the Redan, on the 18th June, 1855. Devoted heroism in sallying out of the trenches on numerous occasions, and bringing in wounded officers and men.