Sir Luke O'Connor

Wounded at the Battle of Alma, Luke O'Connor seized the fallen Queen's Colour and carried it forward under fire. His courage made the Irish-born soldier one of the first recipients of the Victoria Cross.

Born in County Roscommon in 1831, O'Connor survived smallpox and worked in Boyle before enlisting in the 23rd Regiment of Foot, the Royal Welch Fusiliers, in 1849. A colour-sergeant at Alma on 20 September 1854, he recovered the colour after its bearer was mortally wounded and continued despite a chest wound. Commissioned an ensign that November, he was wounded in both thighs during the assault on the Redan at Sevastopol on 8 September 1855. The two actions were recognised in his Victoria Cross, presented by Queen Victoria at the first Hyde Park investiture on 26 June 1857.

O'Connor served in the Indian Rebellion, including the relief and capture of Lucknow, and in the Ashanti campaign of 1873–74. He advanced through the officer ranks, retired on 2 March 1887 and received the honorary rank of major-general a week later. Appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1906, he became a Knight Commander in 1913 and colonel of his old regiment in 1914. He died in London on 1 February 1915 and was buried at St Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Kensal Green.