John Harrison

He climbed above the fighting to reveal the enemy positions.

John Harrison was born at Castleboro, County Wexford, in January 1832. He entered the Royal Navy as a boy second class in 1850 and served during the Baltic and Crimean operations. His ships included Agamemnon before he transferred to Shannon.

During the Indian uprising of 1857, Shannon supplied men and guns to the Naval Brigade commanded by Captain William Peel. Harrison served as a leading seaman with the force advancing to relieve Lucknow.

On 16 November, troops attacking the Shah Najaf mosque faced fire and grenades from defenders in a strongly protected position. Volunteers were called for to climb a tree overlooking the walls, where they could observe the enemy and help the gun crews identify their targets.

Harrison volunteered with Lieutenant Nowell Salmon and another sailor. Their exposed position made them vulnerable to sharpshooters. The other sailor was killed and Salmon was wounded, but the reconnaissance was completed. Harrison and Salmon received the Victoria Cross for their conduct.

Harrison became a boatswain's mate and petty officer in 1858 and left the navy in January 1859. Queen Victoria presented his cross at Windsor in January 1860. He subsequently obtained employment in Customs and Excise.

His health deteriorated after his naval service. He died at Westminster in 1865 and was buried in Brompton Cemetery. His decorations preserve the record of service in several campaigns and the dangerous observation task at Lucknow.

Official Victoria Cross citation, London Gazette, 24 December 1858:

For conspicuous gallantry at Lucknow, on the 16th of November, 1857, in climbing up a tree, touching the angle of the Shah Nujjiff, to reply to the fire of the enemy, for which most dangerous service, the late Captain Peel, K.C.B., had called for volunteers.