Henry Hartigan

Ran unarmed to help one fellow sergeant attacked by four men

Henry Hartigan was born near Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, in 1826. A weaver before enlistment, he joined the 9th Lancers in 1845 and went to India. He fought in the Punjab campaign of 1848-1849, including Chilianwala and Goojerat.

His Victoria Cross recognised two separate episodes during the Indian rebellion. At Badli-ki-Serai near Delhi on 8 June 1857, Sergeant Helstone was wounded, dismounted and surrounded. Hartigan went to him and carried him out of danger at considerable risk to himself.

At Agra on 10 October, four opponents attacked Sergeant Crews. Hartigan ran to his assistance without a weapon. He caught one man's sword with his hand, struck and disarmed him, and then fought the others. He killed one and wounded two before severe wounds disabled him.

His cross was announced in June 1860 and presented that December. He subsequently received a commission and reached lieutenant rank. Remaining in India after his Army service, he died in Calcutta on 29 October 1886 and was buried at Barrackpore.

Victoria Cross citation

For daring and distinguished gallantry in the following instances: - At the battle of Budle-ke Serai, near Delhi, on the 8th June 1857, in going to the assistance of Serjeant H. Helstone, who was wounded, dismounted, and surrounded by the enemy, and at the risk of his own life, carrying him to the rear. On the 10th October 1857, at Agra, in having run unarmed to the assistance of Serjeant Crews, who was attacked by four rebels. Hartigan caught a tulwar from one of them with his right hand, and with the other hit him on the mouth, disarmed him, and then defended himself against the other three, killing one and wounding two, when he was himself disabled from further service by severe and dangerous wounds.