John Connors

Entering the breach, he fought at close quarters under fire.

John Connors came from Duagh, near Listowel in County Kerry, and was baptised in October 1830. He worked as a labourer before enlisting in the 3rd Regiment of Foot, the Buffs, at Limerick in January 1849. His early service included stations in Ireland before he sailed to join the regiment at Malta in December 1851.

The regiment left Malta for the Crimea in April 1855. Connors arrived during the siege of Sevastopol, where repeated assaults and trench operations imposed heavy casualties on the attacking armies.

On 8 September 1855, during the assault on the Redan, Connors displayed conspicuous courage in personal combat. His Victoria Cross citation singled out his conduct during that assault. The regiment also recognised his bravery with a silver regimental medal, and France awarded him the Medaille Militaire. His campaign medals represented service at Sevastopol and the allied war against Russia.

After the fighting he briefly joined the Land Transport Corps before returning to his regiment. He left the Crimea with the Buffs for Corfu in May 1856. His wife Sarah was living in Galway in 1857.

Connors did not live to receive the Victoria Cross announced in February 1857. On 29 January he fell to his death from a fortification at Corfu. He was buried in the British cemetery there. His cross was sent to Corfu with other awards intended for presentation to the troops, leaving the history of its original delivery distinct from the act for which it had been earned.

Official Victoria Cross citation Distinguished himself most conspicuously at the assault on the Redan, 8th September, 1855, in personal conflict with the Russians: rescued an Officer of the 30th Regiment, who was surrounded by Russians, by shooting one and bayonetting another, and was observed, inside the Redan, in personal combat with the Russians for some time.\\r\\nWas selected by his Company for the French War Medal.