Patrick Carlin

He carried the wounded man and fought off an armed attacker.

Patrick Carlin was born at Belfast around 1832 and worked as a labourer before enlisting in the 13th Regiment in 1855. His postings included the Mediterranean and the Cape before service in India during the uprising.

Near Azamgarh on 6 April 1858, he went to the aid of a badly wounded naik of the 4th Madras Rifles. Carrying the man on his shoulders, Carlin used the naik's sword to kill an enemy soldier who fired at him. His action earned the Victoria Cross.

He remained in the Army after the campaign, including service at Gibraltar, until discharge as medically unfit at Netley in 1871. He returned to Belfast and died in the Union Infirmary on 11 May 1895. His precise grave remains uncertain. The Victoria Cross is held by the Museum of Somerset.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For the Act of Bravery, recorded in a General Order, issued by the Commander-in-Chief in India, of which the following is a copy: Head-Quarters, Allahabad, June 29, 1858. GENERAL ORDER. “The Commander-in-Chief in India directs that the undermentioned Soldier, of the 13th Foot, be presented, in the name of Her Most Gracious Majesty, with a Medal of the Victoria Cross, for valour and daring in the field, viz.:– Private Patrick Carlin, No. 3611, of the 13th Foot, for rescuing, on the 6th of April, 1858, a wounded Naick of the 4th Madras Rifles, in the field of battle, after killing, with the Naick’s sword, a mutineer sepoy, who fired at him whilst bearing off his wounded comrade on his shoulders. (Signed) C. CAMPBELL, General, Commander-in-Chief, East Indies.’

The London Gazette of 26 October 1858, Numb. 22194, p. 4574