John Farrell VC

John Farrell VC was born in Dublin, Ireland, in March 1826. He enlisted in the British Army in 1843, first serving with the 85th Foot before transferring to the 17th Lancers, the regiment with which he would become forever associated. By the time of the Crimean War, Farrell was serving as a sergeant in the 17th Lancers, part of the Light Cavalry Brigade.

On 25 October 1854, Farrell rode with the 17th Lancers during the Battle of Balaklava and the famous Charge of the Light Brigade. During the charge his horse was shot from under him, leaving him on foot on a battlefield swept by artillery and small-arms fire. Rather than retreat at once, Farrell remained under fire to help Troop Sergeant-Major John Berryman of the 17th Lancers and Sergeant Joseph Malone of the 13th Light Dragoons rescue a badly wounded officer, Captain Webb.

Captain Webb had suffered a severe wound and could not be moved far because of the pain of his injuries. Farrell, Berryman, and Malone carried him as far as they could until a stretcher was found, then helped remove him from the immediate range of the Russian guns. Webb later died of his wounds after the amputation of his leg. Farrell’s conduct was later described in the London Gazette as remaining “amidst a shower of shot and shell” with the wounded officer.

For this act of gallantry, John Farrell was awarded the Victoria Cross. His award was gazetted in the London Gazette of 20 November 1857, where he was listed as Quartermaster Serjeant John Farrell, 17th Lancers, for his bravery at Balaklava on 25 October 1854. Berryman and Malone were also awarded the Victoria Cross for their part in the rescue.

Farrell continued to serve after the Crimean War and later saw service during the Indian Mutiny. He rose to the rank of Quartermaster-Sergeant and was later connected with service in India, including with the 2nd Light Cavalry. His medal entitlement included the Victoria Cross, the Crimea Medal with clasps for Alma, Balaklava, Inkerman, and Sebastopol, the Indian Mutiny Medal without confirmed clasp, and the Turkish Crimea Medal.

John Farrell died at Secunderabad, India, in 1865. Sources differ on the exact circumstances of his death, with some recording that he was killed in action and others stating that he died from a liver abscess. His commonly accepted date of death is 31 August 1865, although at least one detailed Light Brigade source gives 3 August 1865. He was buried in Secunderabad Cemetery, reportedly in an unmarked grave. His Victoria Cross is not publicly held.