James Park (VC)

He earned comrades' choice for gallantry at Lucknow's relief

James Park was born in Glasgow in 1835. He enlisted in the Bengal Artillery in 1855 and travelled to India, where he was serving when the uprising began in 1857. His service was with the 2nd Company, 4th Battalion of the Bengal Artillery.

Park took part in the fighting associated with Delhi and Lucknow. Between 14 and 22 November 1857, his gun crews supported the force that advanced into Lucknow to relieve the Residency. Artillerymen had to work their pieces under close fire as the troops forced a route through defended buildings and streets.

The Victoria Cross recommendation for this service used the collective-election provision of the royal warrant. Park was selected by his fellow soldiers. Their choice recognized gallantry observed during the relief operations.

He did not live to receive the decoration. Contracting cholera at Lucknow, he died on 14 June 1858, aged about twenty-three. His Victoria Cross was announced in the London Gazette in December of that year.

The location of his grave is not securely identified. His surviving decoration has passed through private collections, preserving the name of a young artilleryman whose comrades considered his conduct worthy of their regiment’s highest recognition.

Official Victoria Cross citation:

Elected respectively, under the 13th clause of the Royal Warrant of the 29th of January 1856, by the Officers and non-commissioned officers generally, and by the private soldiers of each troop or battery.

For conspicuous gallantry at the Relief of Lucknow, from the 14th to the 22nd of November 1857.