Joseph Petrus Hendrik Crowe

He led the first attack into an enemy redoubt across a marsh

Joseph Petrus Hendrik Crowe was born at Uitenhage in the Cape Colony on 12 January 1826. The son of a former soldier, he obtained a commission in the 78th Highlanders in 1846 and joined the regiment in India. He served in the Persian campaign before the Indian rebellion.

On 12 August 1857 at Boursekee Chowkee, near Bashiratganj, the regiment attacked a defended redoubt across difficult marshy ground. Lieutenant Crowe was the first man to enter the position. His example helped the following troops carry the works, and he received the Victoria Cross.

Promoted captain, he transferred to the 10th Regiment. Its posting to the Cape allowed him to see his family again, and later service took him to Malaya and Singapore. Tropical illness damaged his health. He returned to Britain and retired as a lieutenant-colonel in January 1876. He died at Penge on 12 April 1876 and was initially buried in West Norwood Cemetery. His remains were later returned to South Africa and reinterred at Uitenhage.

Official Victoria Cross citation:

For being the first to enter the redoubt at Bourzekee Chowkee, the entrenched village in front of the Busherut-gunge, on the 12th of August 1857.